Handelsmerk met Mercurius en Neptunus en het wapen van Amsterdam
ca. 1860 - ca. 1900
Medium
etching
Dimensions
178; 145
About this artwork
Gift of J.A. Boland
Art Historical Context
Welcome to this intriguing 19th-century etching, *Handelsmerk met Mercus en Neptunus het wapen van Amsterdam by Johannes Arnoldus Bol, created around 1860–1900. Measuring a compact 178 × 145 mm, this print captures the essence of Amsterdam's enduring trading legacy. Donated by J.A. Boland—likely the artist himself or a family member—it serves as a tangible link to the city's vibrant mercantile past. The title reveals its purpose: a *handelsmerk*, or merchant's mark, emblazoned with Mercury, the Roman god of commerce and travelers, and Neptune, ruler of the seas—perfect symbols for Amsterdam's...
About the Artist
Johannes Arnoldus Boland · 1838–1922
Johannes Arnoldus Boland (1838–1922) was a Dutch etcher and engraver who played a significant role in the 19th-century etching revival in the Netherlands while serving as a restorer at the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam for over three decades. Born on December 19, 1838, in Geesteren, a small town in the eastern Netherlands, Boland dedicated his career to both preserving and creating art, embodying the d...