Design for the stock exchange of Amsterdam.

Drawing, pen and black ink, with brown and grey wash, 50 x 123 cm, thick paper,signed and dated (torn and separated in 4 individual pieces of paper, some sm. tears in paper edges, some minor stains).

In 1884 the City officials of Amsterdam announced a competition for architects to submit plans and proposals for a new stock exchange which was to replace an older building built in 1840-45. Next to the ongoing projects of the Rijksmuseum and the Central train station (both by Cuypers), this building would define the new look and stylistic preference of the city of Amsterdam. No less then 199 architectural proposals reached the jury committee in November 1884. They were displayed in the public print room of the city hall. The present lot is a ground-plan of one of these architectural designs, submitted by the Welcome architectural bureau, located in Brussels. It is accompanied with a detailed letter, explaining the lay-out of the building and functions of the rooms. The project was ultimately rejected. After many internal struggles, the revolutionary design by Berlage would finally be chosen.
Ref. G. Hoogewoud, "De Amsterdamse Beursaanvraag van 1884", in Nederlands Kunsthistorisch Jaarboek 25 (1974), pp. 277-365.