Hendrik Keun (Haarlem 1738-1788)
VAT rate of 5% is payable on hammer price plus bu… Read more
Hendrik Keun (Haarlem 1738-1788)

The Singel, Amsterdam, with the Munttorren

Details
Hendrik Keun (Haarlem 1738-1788)
The Singel, Amsterdam, with the Munttorren
signed 'Keun' (lower right)
oil on panel
14 x 19 1/8 in. (35.6 x 48.5 cm.)
Special notice
VAT rate of 5% is payable on hammer price plus buyer's premium

Lot Essay

Dating to circa 1490, the Munttoren was originally built as the western tower of the Regulierspoort. Heavily damaged after a fire in 1618, the upper part was rebuilt to a design by Hendrick de Keyser. When, in 1672, the city of Amsterdam was given the right to strike its own coinage, the actual coins were struck in the guardhouse next to the tower, that thereby became known by its current name, which means 'Mint Tower'. The original storm-indicator was a gilt ox, so designed because the Regulierpoort used to be the gate through which cattle were driven towards the Ossenmarkt in the Kalverstraat. During a huge storm in 1640, the ox was blown into the Singel and replaced by the cockerel visible in the present lot (see J.H. Kruizinga and J.A. Banning, Amsterdam van A tot Z, Amsterdam, 1966, p. 323).

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