Gezicht op de oostzijde van de Vondelkerk te Amsterdam

About this artwork

collector's mark: Lugt 2228

Art Historical Context

Behold *Gezicht op de oostzijde van de Vondelkerk te Amsterdam (View of the East Side of the Vondkerk in Amsterdam), a etching by Dutch artist Petrus Johannes Arzen, created around 1880–1885. This work captures the architectural grandeur of the Vondel, a prominent Catholic church in Amsterdam's Vondelstraat neighborhood shortly after its construction.endzen's precise depiction the church's Gothic Revival, offering visitors a window late 19th-century life and religious architecture in Netherlands. Etching, Arendzen's chosen medium, involves incising lines into a metal plate with acid, allowing for intricate details and tonal depth in a compact format (295 × 166 mm). This technique was popular among 19th-century printmakers for reproducing architectural views, making fine art accessible beyond paintings. The resulting image invites contemplation of Amsterdam's evolving skyline during a period of rapid modernization. Bearing the collector's mark Lugt 2228—associated with the esteemed print collector Frits Lugt—this piece underscores its enduring value in art history. It not only documents a cherished landmark but also exemplifies the meticulous draftsmanship of Dutch etchers, preserving a slice of cultural heritage for today's museum-goers.

About the Artist

Petrus Johannes Arendzen · 1855–1935

Petrus Johannes Arendzen (1846–1932) was a Dutch etcher, draughtsman, and painter who dedicated his career to creating reproductive etchings of Dutch paintings in English collections while living in England from 1873 onward. Born in Amsterdam in 1846, Arendzen married Epiphania, daughter of Johan Stracké, and left his native city to pursue a unique commission from the Dutch Government: to copy the...