Gezicht op de Munttoren te Amsterdam, gezien vanaf het 's-Gravelandseveer 1760 - 1783

Simon Fokke created this print of the Munttoren in Amsterdam in the 18th century, using etching and engraving techniques. Fokke’s Amsterdam existed within a complex matrix of global trade, colonial power, and burgeoning capitalism, and the city itself became a stage upon which social identities were negotiated and displayed. We can consider how the visual representation of Amsterdam contributed to shaping a sense of collective identity and civic pride during the Dutch Golden Age. The meticulous detail in Fokke's print not only documents the city's architecture but also reflects the values of precision and order that characterized Dutch society at the time. The artist draws our eye to the tower, a symbol of civic authority. But the inclusion of everyday figures along the Amstel invites reflection on the relationships between authority and the populace. Fokke’s image is a reminder of the complex, interwoven threads of Dutch identity, commerce, and power.