Masterpiece Amsterdam. How was the city depicted in the 17th century?

A glimpse into daily life in the 17th century

The exhibition takes you on a journey through the growing city. From the construction of the grachtengordel to the imposing new town hall on the Dam, from lively markets to the bustle of ships on the IJ: the cityscapes show a city in motion. At the same time, they offer a glimpse into daily life in the 17th century, and into the diversity of society at that time. It is the people who gave Amsterdam its rhythm and meaning, and their stories are still relevant.

A historic collaboration

The exhibition is a special collaboration between Stadsarchief Amsterdam and the Amsterdam Museum. The temporary closure of the main location of the Amsterdam Museum offers the opportunity to bring together masterpieces from both collections, supplemented by special loans from home and abroad. This collaboration marks the 100th anniversary of the Amsterdam Museum, which has been collecting and sharing the city's stories since 1926. Meesterwerk Amsterdam is a tribute to the rich history of the city and to the role of both institutions in preserving and presenting this heritage.

The emergence of an image tradition: pride, power and city marketing

The exhibition shows how cityscapes were used as propaganda, city marketing and how this new genre developed. Visitors discover how artists manipulated reality when it benefited the ‘truthfulness’ of the cityscape: the experience of the image and the place was more important than the exact representation of the actual situation. The exhibition allows visitors to look over the shoulders of the artists, as it were.

Audio tour

What did Amsterdam sound and look like when Rembrandt walked through the city? What happened behind the facades, on the quays in the harbour and in the busy markets where people from all corners of the world met? With an audio tour in Dutch and English, the cityscapes come to life. Stories, sounds and surprising details make the exhibition accessible to a wide audience.

Publication and public programme

A richly illustrated book in Dutch and English will be published to accompany the exhibition. The public can also participate in lectures, workshops and city walks. These cover themes such as urban growth, migration, identity and the connection between the Amsterdam of then and now. There is also a suitable offer for children and families.