Tol aan de Kostverlorenvaart te Amsterdam 1870 - 1926

Willem Wenckebach’s “Toll on the Kostverlorenvaart in Amsterdam” is a print with an emphasis on line and form to capture the essence of Amsterdam's waterways. Notice how the dense network of etched lines defines the architectural forms and reflections in the water. This creates a rich interplay between the structural solidity of the buildings and the fluid, shifting nature of the water. The composition is carefully structured to balance the industrial elements of the toll bridge with the domestic architecture. This contrast underscores a tension between the functional aspects of the waterway and its integration into daily life. Wenckebach is not merely representing a scene. His work engages with broader themes of industrialization and urban development in the Netherlands. Through the formal qualities of line and composition, the print invites viewers to reflect on the dynamic relationship between urban structure and natural environment.