Plattegrond van Amsterdam (deel rechtsonder) - Frederik Willem Greebe

A detailed eighteenth-century map engraving by Frederik Willem Greebe, depicting the south-eastern canal district and harbour of Amsterdam.

This detailed cartographic work by Frederik Willem Greebe depicts the south-eastern section of Amsterdam as it appeared during the mid-eighteenth century. The print focuses on the urban layout of the city, specifically the canal network and the bustling harbour area along the IJ. The precision of the engraving allows for a clear view of the street patterns, individual building blocks, and the fortifications that defined the city perimeter at the time.

The lower portion of the composition captures the maritime activity of the period. Numerous ships are shown anchored or navigating the waters of the IJ, providing a sense of the scale of trade and transport that sustained the city. The inclusion of a compass rose and the labelling of specific waterways and quays demonstrate the functional purpose of such maps, which were often produced for administrative use or as records for the growing merchant class. The style reflects the technical rigour of Dutch mapmaking, where clarity of information is balanced with an aesthetic appreciation for the city's architectural order.

As a historical document, this print offers a view into the urban planning of Amsterdam before the industrial expansions of the nineteenth century. The lines are clean and deliberate, typical of copperplate engraving techniques used to ensure that fine details, such as the individual canal houses and the rigging of the vessels, remained legible. The work is presented here as a high-quality reproduction, capturing the monochromatic character of the original etching. It provides a window into the maritime history of the Netherlands, documenting the relationship between the city and its surrounding water. This piece is suitable for those interested in historical geography, urban development, or the maritime heritage of Amsterdam.