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Byrsa Amsterodamensis
Merchants and traders mill about in the courtyard of Amsterdam’s new stock exchange building, making deals and trading gossip. Though construction was barely finished (look for the roofers), the building was already the nexus of the Netherlands’ global commercial network and a symbol of Holland’s power by 1612, when this image was published. The goal of the whole endeavor is made perfectly clear by the moneybag and the winged staff (or caduceus, symbol of Mercury, the god of commerce) that sit atop the plinth at lower left.
The Amsterdam Exchange
Byrsa Amsterodamensis
Claes Jansz Visscher, Jr. (Netherlandish, 1586–1652)
Dutch
1612
Object Place: Holland
Medium/Technique
Etching
Dimensions
25.7 x 32.8 cm (10 1/8 x 12 15/16 in.)
Credit Line
Charles Amos Cummings Fund
Accession Number1976.622
OUT ON LOAN
On display at High Museum of Art, Atlanta, GA, April 19, 2024 – July 14, 2024
On display at High Museum of Art, Atlanta, GA, April 19, 2024 – July 14, 2024
CollectionsEurope, Prints and Drawings
ClassificationsPrints
Merchants and traders mill about in the courtyard of Amsterdam’s new stock exchange building, making deals and trading gossip. Though construction was barely finished (look for the roofers), the building was already the nexus of the Netherlands’ global commercial network and a symbol of Holland’s power by 1612, when this image was published. The goal of the whole endeavor is made perfectly clear by the moneybag and the winged staff (or caduceus, symbol of Mercury, the god of commerce) that sit atop the plinth at lower left.
Catalogue Raisonné
Simon 151, ii / ii; Hollstein xxxvii.162.418, ii / ii
DescriptionThis image of the Amsterdam stock exchange, or bourse, which was designed by architect Hendrick de Keyser, appeared in the Dutch translation of Lodovico Guicciardini's illustrated description of the Low Countries, published in various editions beginning in 1612. The image first appears in the Beschrijvinghe van alle de Nederlanden in the 1612 edition, but this impression is probably from one of the later editions, which appeared in 1613, 1625, 1646, and 1648.
The bridge in the foreground is dated 1611.
Arms of Amsterdam seen on bridge and facade.
At left are a money bag and a winged caduceus (the symbol of Mercury, the god of commerce).
Roofers appear to be putting the finishing touches on the new building.
The bridge in the foreground is dated 1611.
Arms of Amsterdam seen on bridge and facade.
At left are a money bag and a winged caduceus (the symbol of Mercury, the god of commerce).
Roofers appear to be putting the finishing touches on the new building.
InscriptionsIn plate, at top: BYRSA AMSTERODAMENSIS.
In plate, at lower left: Godinnen Shibberglad des Amstels, die de voet / Van dit swaerlyvich werck belickt, wilt u niet belegen / Dat ghy benauwder speelt met uw swierende vloet, / Hier, daerfe keelen vyf met cunst gemest verswelgen. / De burse ryster, tot ontfang der volken vremdt / Vande langarmde Zee den vader aller meeren. /
En van uw maechschap, dat aen ‘sWerelds bodem swent, / Gefonden om uytheemsch uw schulpen te stofferen. / P. C. Hooft Amsterdammer
In plate, at lower left: CJVisscher fecit Ao 1612.
In plate, at lower right: 45
In plate, at lower right (on bridge): Ano (I) (I C XI
Later inscriptions or marks: on recto, at upper right, in graphite pencil: 3. [encircled]
In plate, at lower left: Godinnen Shibberglad des Amstels, die de voet / Van dit swaerlyvich werck belickt, wilt u niet belegen / Dat ghy benauwder speelt met uw swierende vloet, / Hier, daerfe keelen vyf met cunst gemest verswelgen. / De burse ryster, tot ontfang der volken vremdt / Vande langarmde Zee den vader aller meeren. /
En van uw maechschap, dat aen ‘sWerelds bodem swent, / Gefonden om uytheemsch uw schulpen te stofferen. / P. C. Hooft Amsterdammer
In plate, at lower left: CJVisscher fecit Ao 1612.
In plate, at lower right: 45
In plate, at lower right (on bridge): Ano (I) (I C XI
Later inscriptions or marks: on recto, at upper right, in graphite pencil: 3. [encircled]
Provenance1976, sold by Christopher Mendez, London, to the MFA. (Accession Date: September 8, 1976)