A view of the Overtoom, Amsterdam, in winter, with the Kostverloren Wetering to the left and the Overtoomse Vaart to the right; and A view of the Polderhuis by the Weteringpoort, in summer, with the slipway (overhaal) between the Boerenwetering and the Mennonietensloot to the right

The Polderhuis was a famous pub, located near the Weteringpoort (today the corner of the Ruysdaelkade and the Stadhouderskade) and demolished in 1924. The slipway was used to pull up the vegetable barges, which came from the Boerenwetering, to the higher water-level of the Mennonietensloot. The latter was filled in circa 1880, to become the present Museumplein, while the Boerenwetering was tranformed into the canal (nowadays between the Ruysdaelkade and the Hobbemakade). In Ouwater's time, the area was still quite picturesque and rural, with vegetable gardens lined up along the Boerenwetering. It was a popular neighbourhood for a pleasant stroll or a quiet drink.

A similar pair, painted by Ouwater in 1778 and previously in the Dr. Anton Dreesmann collection, shows the same views with the seasons reversed (sold in these rooms, 16 April 2002, lot 1218).