View of the Amsterdam Herengracht under construction, seen from the bridge of the Vijzelstraat. Curve of canal houses built in classicist style on the


View of the Amsterdam Herengracht under construction, seen from the bridge of the Vijzelstraat. Curve of canal houses built in classicist style on the Herengracht with the entrance to the Nieuwe Spiegelstraat on the left. Sunlight falls between the still unfinished facade row and reflects on the water of the canal. Building materials are scattered on the quay. Fences shield the unbuilt lots from the public road. The last building on the south side of the canal is still under construction. Due to the enormous increase of its population, Amsterdam had to expand during the 17th century: the city’s rings of canals were dug in phases. Here we see the Herengracht under construction, with a few lots still empty. This particular section of the canal became the domain of the very richest. Some of the residents earned their money from trade in Asia, and almost every interior boasted Asian luxury goods.


Size: 6320px × 4552px
Photo credit: © Viktor Birkus / Alamy / Afripics
License: Royalty Free
Model Released: No

Keywords: amsterdam, antique, art, building, canal, city, classicism, domain, embankment, facade, herengracht, holland, house, museum, oil, painting, public, street, sunlight, unfinished, water