Plattegrond van Amsterdam 1729

Joost van Sassen created this print of Amsterdam using engraving techniques. The method involves using a tool called a burin to carve lines into a metal plate, which is then inked and printed. Look closely, and you’ll notice the image's intricate level of detail, a testament to the engraver's skill and time. Every building, canal, and street is rendered with precision, and the aerial perspective gives you an overview of the city's layout and infrastructure. The ships at the bottom of the image hint at the key role of trade in Amsterdam’s prosperity at this time. Consider that each line on this print was made through a deliberate act of labor. Engraving like this demanded immense patience and control. The result is not only a depiction of a place but a record of work. It shows how the economic and political power of Amsterdam was built quite literally by hand.