Author: [VIEW - NETHERLANDS - LEIDEN]. SCHENK, Leonardus [and Abraham RADEMAKER].
Title: Gesigt van de Visbrug, de Waag en Vismarkt, te sien naar de Hooglandsche kerk en Stadhuys tooren, tot Lyden. | Vüe du Visbrug, du Pois et Poissonerie, vers l'eglise de Hooglande et la tour de la Maison de Ville a Leide.[Amsterdam], Leonardus Schenk, [ca. 1728/35]. Large engraved wall print on 2 sheets, (together 58 x 97 cm) the sheets overlapping each other slightly, showing the traditional business centre of the city of Leiden. The title, both in Dutch and French, is printed in a banderole at the head, with putti on each side supporting the arms of Leiden and Holland. Leonardus Schenk's name appears as engraver and publisher at the right tip of the banderole. In black passepartout and gilt frame (82 x 121 cm).
Description: A large engraved wall print in two sheets showing the trading and commercial centre of the city of Leiden, at the convergence of the Oude Rijn and Nieuwe Rijn canals. Unlike most other Dutch towns, Leiden had no central market square, so that the waterways formed the major access routes for merchandise. On the banks of the canals there is a lively market that converges on the bridge central in the print. Market traders and customers come and go. Women from the coastal fishing villages of Katwijk and Noortwijk display fresh fish for sale. Right in the print we see the monumental "Waag", the weigh-house built in 1658 following a plan by the Dutch architect and engraver Pieter Post. The splendid relief, designed by Rombout Verhulst, that crowns the entrance, is reproduced with a sharp eye for detail. In front of the building commercial goods are hoisted up from carts and a number of ships for transport to the weigh-house. Several other ships had moored and now continue to their destination. A boat flying the Dutch flag brings in a prominent party, while a herald standing precariously at the bow trumpets for right of way. We know of several other wall prints by Schenk depicting local situations with almost photographic detail. Thanks to this detail important socio-historical aspects have been passed on to later generations giving these prints an important cultural meaning today. With some faint foxing, otherwise in very good condition.l Overvoorde, Catalogus van de prentverzameling der Gemeente Leiden (1906), no. 964; Waller, Biogr. woordenb. Noord Ned. graveurs, p. 287.

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