Gezicht op de Eerste Regulierspoort te Amsterdam, 1552 - Jan Goeree

A detailed etching by Jan Goeree depicting the medieval Eerste Regulierspoort gatehouse in Amsterdam as it appeared in 1552.

This etching by Jan Goeree depicts the Eerste Regulierspoort, a medieval gatehouse that once stood in Amsterdam. The work serves as a historical record of the city's fortifications as they appeared in 1552, though the print itself was produced during the early eighteenth century. Goeree, a prolific Dutch draughtsman and engraver, specialised in documenting architectural sites and historical scenes, often drawing upon earlier records to reconstruct the appearance of the city before its rapid expansion.

The composition focuses on the gatehouse, which is flanked by two slender towers and connected to a defensive wall. The artist employs fine, controlled lines to define the masonry of the gate and the surrounding structures. In the foreground, small figures are depicted in period dress, providing a sense of scale to the fortification. The sky is rendered with light, horizontal hatching, suggesting a clear day. The inclusion of a clock face on the gatehouse facade adds a specific detail to the architectural study.

As a topographical print, the work prioritises clarity and accuracy over atmospheric effects. The perspective is straightforward, allowing the viewer to examine the structural elements of the gatehouse and the wall. The print includes a caption at the base, identifying the subject and the year of the original structure. This piece is part of a broader tradition of Dutch printmaking that sought to preserve the visual history of urban environments. It offers a glimpse into the defensive architecture of sixteenth-century Amsterdam, captured through the technical precision of a later master. The print is presented here with its original margins, maintaining the integrity of the historical document.