Afbeelding van de Buiten-Amstel / des Zoomers / Afbeelding van de Buiten-Amstel / des Winters 1761 - 1804

Editor: Here we have "Afbeelding van de Buiten-Amstel" which translates to "Picture of the Outer Amstel," a print made sometime between 1761 and 1804. The artist is Erven de Weduwe Jacobus van Egmont and it's currently held at the Rijksmuseum. There are two images: one of the Amstel in summer, one in winter. What social dynamics or messages do you see conveyed in this piece, particularly considering it depicts scenes of leisure? Curator: The contrast between the summer and winter scenes provides an opportunity to reflect on class and labor. Notice who's engaging in leisure activities. Who has the privilege to sail and boat in the summer? Who has the freedom to skate and socialize on the frozen canal in winter? What’s missing in both images are those who likely toiled to ensure that social structures supported those leisured classes. Editor: That's a powerful observation. It seems both images are romanticized. Do you think the artist aimed to portray an idyllic version of Amsterdam, overlooking social inequalities? Curator: Not necessarily "overlooking," but perhaps subtly reinforcing existing social structures. Consider how landscape art often naturalizes power dynamics. By focusing on the beauty of the scenery and the apparent harmony of social interactions, the print could be read as legitimizing the status quo. Who do you think the primary audience was for such a print? Editor: Probably people who were able to buy it: wealthy or upper middle class. Do you see elements of social critique, even if unintended? Curator: Potentially. The very act of depicting these scenes invites us to consider the circumstances that enable them. While it may not be a direct critique, the image prompts us to examine the underlying conditions of labor, privilege, and access to leisure that define society. Editor: It’s really interesting how much you can unpack from a seemingly simple landscape print, highlighting connections to broader power dynamics. Thank you! Curator: My pleasure! Seeing art this way challenges us to question whose stories are being told, and from what perspectives.