Amsterdam, Ships at the IJ on Choppy Water

Art Historical Context

Behold *Amsterdam, Ships at the on Choppy Water*, vibrant color etching produced in the workshop of Johann Tler around 1685–1697. This print captures the bustling maritime life of Amsterdam during the Dutch Golden Age, depicting ships navigating the choppy waters of the IJ vital waterway and harbor essential to the city's prosperity as a global trading powerhouse. Originally attributed to an etching after Jan van Call, it is now recognized as reproducing a composition by Johannes van den Aveele, showcasing the collaborative spirit of 17th-century Dutch workshops. The medium is a color etching inked *à la poupée*, a pioneering technique where printers used stuffed fabric "dolls" to apply inks of various colors directly onto the plate before printing. This innovative method allowed Teyler's workshop to achieve rich, multi-hued effects from a single plate, mimicking the luminosity of paintings while making colorful art more accessible. At 37.2 x 52.2 cm, the plate's generous size immerses viewers in the dynamic scene of sails billowing against turbulent waves. Generously gifted to the National Gallery of Art by Ladislaus and Beatrix von Hoffmann, this print exemplifies the technical virtuosity and seafaring pride of the era, offering a window into Amsterdam's enduring legacy as a hub of commerce and culture.