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Amsterdam's Architecture of Colonial Exploitation

The city of Amsterdam is riddled with references – both direct and indirect – to the Dutch history of slavery and colonial exploitation. The photos and descriptions of places in the city in this article—which appeared in Failed Architecture, an online platform for critical urban discourse—comprise a small, illustrative selection of sites.
In collaboration with Alex Raúl.

For some time in the 17th century, the Royal Palace – originally built as the city town hall – housed the Society of Suriname, which was assigned the task of governing the colony of Suriname. The Society did so on behalf of the colony’s owners, among which was the city of Amsterdam itself – rendering it a prominent ‘owner’ of enslaved people.

Amsterdam's Architecture of Colonial Exploitation

The city of Amsterdam is riddled with references – both direct and indirect – to the Dutch history of slavery and colonial exploitation. The photos and descriptions of places in the city in this article—which appeared in Failed Architecture, an online platform for critical urban discourse—comprise a small, illustrative selection of sites.
In collaboration with Alex Raúl.

The Dutch West India Company (WIC) was founded in 1621 as a Western counterpart to the United East India Company (VOC) in the Eastern Hemisphere. The Dutch state awarded the WIC with a monopoly on the trafficking of more than half a million enslaved humans from several parts of Western and Central Africa to The Americas. Over its nearly two-century lifespan, the WIC was headquartered at a number of different locations in Amsterdam, some of which have been torn down since (such as Singel 425, where the current Library of the University of Amsterdam is housed). The building pictured was its headquarters from 1623 to 1647.

Amsterdam's Architecture of Colonial Exploitation

The city of Amsterdam is riddled with references – both direct and indirect – to the Dutch history of slavery and colonial exploitation. The photos and descriptions of places in the city in this article—which appeared in Failed Architecture, an online platform for critical urban discourse—comprise a small, illustrative selection of sites.
In collaboration with Alex Raúl.

Within the most plush section of the Herengracht lies what is today the mayor’s residency. In 1672 this house was occupied by Paulus Godin, who served as governor of the Dutch West India Company (WIC) and director of the Society of Suriname. In this capacity, Godin was responsible for the mass transportation and exploitation of enslaved people in the Americas. The front entrance now contains a commemorative plaque for the enslaved – a rarity in Amsterdam.

Amsterdam's Architecture of Colonial Exploitation

The city of Amsterdam is riddled with references – both direct and indirect – to the Dutch history of slavery and colonial exploitation. The photos and descriptions of places in the city in this article—which appeared in Failed Architecture, an online platform for critical urban discourse—comprise a small, illustrative selection of sites.
In collaboration with Alex Raúl.

The sculptures of these two people refer to the activities of the Van Hoorn brothers, who inhabited this house in the 18th century. Henrik van Hoorn served as director of the Dutch Berbice colony – in what is now Guyana – which saw a year-long rebellion from enslaved people in 1763 against the brutal treatment of Dutch settlers. The Van Hoorn brothers’ fortune was also derived from their sugar refinery in Amsterdam.

Amsterdam's Architecture of Colonial Exploitation

The city of Amsterdam is riddled with references – both direct and indirect – to the Dutch history of slavery and colonial exploitation. The photos and descriptions of places in the city in this article—which appeared in Failed Architecture, an online platform for critical urban discourse—comprise a small, illustrative selection of sites.
In collaboration with Alex Raúl.

The notorious Insinger family spawned a long line of generations, involved in the trade of enslaved people to Suriname, and their exploitation within the colony. The Insingers possessed several large mansions spread across the canal ring, among which is this estate. They operated as financiers of various plantations from 1779 until the formal abolition of slavery in 1863. After the formal abolition, the Insingers were compensated for their ‘losses’ by the Dutch state, whereas the enslaved population was forced to work the plantations for another ten years. The Insinger bank is currently still in operation.

Amsterdam's Architecture of Colonial Exploitation

The city of Amsterdam is riddled with references – both direct and indirect – to the Dutch history of slavery and colonial exploitation. The photos and descriptions of places in the city in this article—which appeared in Failed Architecture, an online platform for critical urban discourse—comprise a small, illustrative selection of sites.
In collaboration with Alex Raúl.

In this depiction, an African boy – who is left unnamed by the artist – is held enslaved by Cornelis Tromp, a sea captain in the Dutch navy.

Amsterdam's Architecture of Colonial Exploitation

The city of Amsterdam is riddled with references – both direct and indirect – to the Dutch history of slavery and colonial exploitation. The photos and descriptions of places in the city in this article—which appeared in Failed Architecture, an online platform for critical urban discourse—comprise a small, illustrative selection of sites.
In collaboration with Alex Raúl.

In this depiction, an African boy – who is left unnamed by the artist – is held enslaved by Cornelis Tromp, a sea captain in the Dutch navy.

Amsterdam's Architecture of Colonial Exploitation

The city of Amsterdam is riddled with references – both direct and indirect – to the Dutch history of slavery and colonial exploitation. The photos and descriptions of places in the city in this article—which appeared in Failed Architecture, an online platform for critical urban discourse—comprise a small, illustrative selection of sites.
In collaboration with Alex Raúl.

The Coymanshuis, currently the stately Amsterdam office of Amnesty International, carries a double link to the Transatlantic slave trade. The Coymans trading company, active in the slave trade to the Spanish Caribbean colonies, took office in this building in the 17th century. In the mid 18th century the estate became home of Jan Pieter Theodoor Huydecooper, director of the Dutch West India Company (WIC).

Amsterdam's Architecture of Colonial Exploitation

The city of Amsterdam is riddled with references – both direct and indirect – to the Dutch history of slavery and colonial exploitation. The photos and descriptions of places in the city in this article—which appeared in Failed Architecture, an online platform for critical urban discourse—comprise a small, illustrative selection of sites.
In collaboration with Alex Raúl.

A gable stone depicting a black man holding tobacco leaves, two baskets and a few bales. Tobacco was a colonial ware, harvested by enslaved people in the Americas.

Amsterdam's Architecture of Colonial Exploitation

The city of Amsterdam is riddled with references – both direct and indirect – to the Dutch history of slavery and colonial exploitation. The photos and descriptions of places in the city in this article—which appeared in Failed Architecture, an online platform for critical urban discourse—comprise a small, illustrative selection of sites.
In collaboration with Alex Raúl.

A gable stone depicting a black man holding tobacco leaves, two baskets and a few bales. Tobacco was a colonial ware, harvested by enslaved people in the Americas.

Amsterdam's Architecture of Colonial Exploitation

The city of Amsterdam is riddled with references – both direct and indirect – to the Dutch history of slavery and colonial exploitation. The photos and descriptions of places in the city in this article—which appeared in Failed Architecture, an online platform for critical urban discourse—comprise a small, illustrative selection of sites.
In collaboration with Alex Raúl.

The Dutch East India Company (VOC) headquartered the original Bushuis/Oost-Indisch Huis until its dissolution in 1798, after which the Dutch colonial administration took seat here for the next ten years. The original building was torn down around 1890 to make space for the current neogothic building, which now houses the Humanities Faculty of the University of Amsterdam. Recent years have seen an ongoing debate within the university about the presentation of a decorated ‘VOC boardroom’ in the building, without any reference to the VOC’s legacy of violence.

Amsterdam's Architecture of Colonial Exploitation

The city of Amsterdam is riddled with references – both direct and indirect – to the Dutch history of slavery and colonial exploitation. The photos and descriptions of places in the city in this article—which appeared in Failed Architecture, an online platform for critical urban discourse—comprise a small, illustrative selection of sites.
In collaboration with Alex Raúl.

Contrary to popular belief, the VOC (1602-1800) was deeply involved in the slave trade and the exploitation of both native populations, as well as forcibly migrated individuals, to different regions in Southeast Asia. In fact, until the late 18th century, the VOC surpassed the WIC (Dutch West India Company) with the number of people it held enslaved (75,500 people in ‘The East’ versus 64,000 people in ‘The West’, around 1750).

Amsterdam's Architecture of Colonial Exploitation

The city of Amsterdam is riddled with references – both direct and indirect – to the Dutch history of slavery and colonial exploitation. The photos and descriptions of places in the city in this article—which appeared in Failed Architecture, an online platform for critical urban discourse—comprise a small, illustrative selection of sites.
In collaboration with Alex Raúl.

Former stock exchange building. Sculpture of VOC officer Jan Pieterszoon Coen, who commanded the extermination of 15 000 natives of the Banda Islands in the Moluccas, Indonesia.

Amsterdam's Architecture of Colonial Exploitation

The city of Amsterdam is riddled with references – both direct and indirect – to the Dutch history of slavery and colonial exploitation. The photos and descriptions of places in the city in this article—which appeared in Failed Architecture, an online platform for critical urban discourse—comprise a small, illustrative selection of sites.
In collaboration with Alex Raúl.

Michiel de Ruyter – depicted here on the gable stone of his former home – is easily the best-known Dutch admiral. He fought the English and French along the Western coast of Africa to secure major slave ports for the Dutch state. Among these was the notorious slave port of Elmina (in what is now Ghana), which played a major role in the Dutch transatlantic slave trade.

Amsterdam's Architecture of Colonial Exploitation

The city of Amsterdam is riddled with references – both direct and indirect – to the Dutch history of slavery and colonial exploitation. The photos and descriptions of places in the city in this article—which appeared in Failed Architecture, an online platform for critical urban discourse—comprise a small, illustrative selection of sites.
In collaboration with Alex Raúl.

In contrast to Great Britain, the Netherlands never spawned any significant abolitionist movements. This lacking inspired abolitionist Anna Amalia Bergendahl (1827-1899) to found the ‘Ladies Committee for the Promotion of Evangalization and Abolition of Slavery in Suriname’. Within the walls of what is currently nightclub Odeon, the women of the committee held a lottery in 1857, dedicating the proceeds to liberate 79 enslaved people.

Amsterdam's Architecture of Colonial Exploitation

The city of Amsterdam is riddled with references – both direct and indirect – to the Dutch history of slavery and colonial exploitation. The photos and descriptions of places in the city in this article—which appeared in Failed Architecture, an online platform for critical urban discourse—comprise a small, illustrative selection of sites.
In collaboration with Alex Raúl.

In his capacity of admiral to the Dutch East India Company (VOC), Jacques l’Hermite advised the extermination of the entire population of Indonesia’s Banda Islands of around 15,000 people. He saw his advice followed by VOC officer Jan Pieterszoon Coen and his troops in 1621 when an estimated 14,000 women, children and men were slaughtered and replaced with enslaved peoples from elsewhere in the region. Jacques l’Hermite was also a large stockholder in the Dutch West India Company (WIC), which allowed him to live in two notable buildings on Keizersgracht.

Amsterdam's Architecture of Colonial Exploitation

The city of Amsterdam is riddled with references – both direct and indirect – to the Dutch history of slavery and colonial exploitation. The photos and descriptions of places in the city in this article—which appeared in Failed Architecture, an online platform for critical urban discourse—comprise a small, illustrative selection of sites.
In collaboration with Alex Raúl.

The symbols depicted on these gable stones represent aspects of the processing and trading of sugar. To produce sugar, sugarcane was harvested, pressed and boiled by enslaved people in the Americas. Depicted from left to right (excluding the second panel) are a set of scales, a cog, a barrel, sugar loaf and a bale.

Amsterdam's Architecture of Colonial Exploitation

The city of Amsterdam is riddled with references – both direct and indirect – to the Dutch history of slavery and colonial exploitation. The photos and descriptions of places in the city in this article—which appeared in Failed Architecture, an online platform for critical urban discourse—comprise a small, illustrative selection of sites.
In collaboration with Alex Raúl.

Amsterdam City Archives. The Netherlands Trading Company (NHM) depicted here is the successor to the Dutch East India Company (VOC). King Willem I ordered a revival of the exploitation of the Dutch East Indies in 1830, upon which the NHM implemented a system of forced remittance of specified crops by the native population. Consequently, natives suffered widespread famine.

Amsterdam's Architecture of Colonial Exploitation

The city of Amsterdam is riddled with references – both direct and indirect – to the Dutch history of slavery and colonial exploitation. The photos and descriptions of places in the city in this article—which appeared in Failed Architecture, an online platform for critical urban discourse—comprise a small, illustrative selection of sites.
In collaboration with Alex Raúl.

Amsterdam City Archives. This 1920 building depicts two Javanese women at the front entrance. The left figure of the three towering above is Jan Pieterszoon Coen, responsible for the extermination of around 14,000 natives of the Banda Islands in the Moluccas, Indonesia, in 1621. Depicted to his right are Herman Daendels and Joannes van Heutsz, both of whom were high officials during the colonial occupation of the Dutch East Indies. This location now serves as the Amsterdam City Archives.

Amsterdam's Architecture of Colonial Exploitation

The city of Amsterdam is riddled with references – both direct and indirect – to the Dutch history of slavery and colonial exploitation. The photos and descriptions of places in the city in this article—which appeared in Failed Architecture, an online platform for critical urban discourse—comprise a small, illustrative selection of sites.
In collaboration with Alex Raúl.

This was the towering home to one of the many lesser known plantation owners who took up residence in the canal ring of Amsterdam; Thomas van Zwammerdam held two sugar plantations in Suriname. A year after he died, slavery was formally abolished in 1863 – yet the enslaved population was forced to work the plantations until 1873. His wife was compensated in line with her inheritance for her ‘losses’ as a consequence of the abolition. Other plantation owners were awarded similar compensations.

Amsterdam's Architecture of Colonial Exploitation

The city of Amsterdam is riddled with references – both direct and indirect – to the Dutch history of slavery and colonial exploitation. The photos and descriptions of places in the city in this article—which appeared in Failed Architecture, an online platform for critical urban discourse—comprise a small, illustrative selection of sites.
In collaboration with Alex Raúl.

This site, currently utilized by creative organizations and cafés such as Roest, once housed the Dutch East India Company’s (VOC’s) massive shipyard, warehouses and offices.

Amsterdam's Architecture of Colonial Exploitation

The city of Amsterdam is riddled with references – both direct and indirect – to the Dutch history of slavery and colonial exploitation. The photos and descriptions of places in the city in this article—which appeared in Failed Architecture, an online platform for critical urban discourse—comprise a small, illustrative selection of sites.
In collaboration with Alex Raúl.

Gable stone of sugar refinery ‘De Jonge Saayer’, which was located here in the 18th century. The raw sugar to be processed on site came from various plantations in Suriname, Brazil and the Dutch East Indies.

Amsterdam's Architecture of Colonial Exploitation

The city of Amsterdam is riddled with references – both direct and indirect – to the Dutch history of slavery and colonial exploitation. The photos and descriptions of places in the city in this article—which appeared in Failed Architecture, an online platform for critical urban discourse—comprise a small, illustrative selection of sites.
In collaboration with Alex Raúl.

The slave ship De Leusden was built in this location, the site of former shipyard De Eendracht. In 1737, De Leusden set sail from slave port Elmina (now Ghana) carrying 716 enslaved Africans to Suriname. This journey was fatal to almost all the enslaved on board, when the ship sank on 1 January, 1738. Out of fear of a revolt, the crew nailed the hold's hatches shut, trapping the enslaved – drowning 700 people. Only 16 Africans were kept on deck to aid the crew with its escape – all of whom were sold to work the plantations two weeks later. De Leusden’s shipwreck is the largest maritime disaster in Dutch history.