Gezicht op de Oude Kerk te Amsterdam vanaf de Oudezijds Voorburgwal c. 1855

Johann Gabriel Friedrich Poppel made this print of the Oude Kerk in Amsterdam at an unknown date, presenting a picturesque view of the city's oldest building. This carefully composed image creates a distinct meaning through visual codes and historical associations. Made in the Netherlands, a country with a rich tradition of landscape and cityscape imagery, this print participates in a broader cultural phenomenon of representing urban spaces. The Oude Kerk, prominently featured, wasn't only a religious institution but also a social and cultural hub. The city of Amsterdam and the Oude Kerk played an important role in the Dutch Golden Age and the rise of capitalism. To fully understand art like this, historical research is key. By exploring archives and understanding the cultural context, we can reveal the complex relationship between art and the institutions and social conditions that shaped its production.