Wintergezicht op de Singel, voor de Oude Lutherse Kerk te Amsterdam c. 1770 - 1783

Hermanus Petrus Schouten created this print depicting a winter scene on the Singel canal in Amsterdam. Looking at this artwork, it's crucial to remember the Dutch Republic's complex social dynamics during Schouten’s life in the 18th century. We see an emphasis on community and labor – figures are engaged in the arduous task of pulling a boat through the icy canal. However, it’s impossible to ignore the implied class distinctions. Who owns the boat and benefits from this labor? Who are the laborers enduring the cold? The print invites us to consider the lives and experiences of those whose stories are often marginalized in favor of romanticizing Dutch prosperity. Schouten’s Amsterdam is a city where the harsh realities of labor and social stratification are as present as the picturesque scenery, challenging us to look beyond the surface and engage with the city's multifaceted identity.