The ‘Golden Bend’ in the Herengracht, Amsterdam, Seen from the East  1671

Due to Amsterdam’s explosive population growth, the city experienced several expansions during the 17th [br]century. This painting presents a section of the city’s world-famous ring of canals. The bend in the Herengracht depicted here was the domain of the wealthiest. When Berckheyde painted this sun-drenched city view, several houses had yet to be completed, and there wer...