When you walk around Amsterdam and look up, you can’t help notice the romantic, beautiful towers that dominate and define Amsterdam’s skyline. But did you know that they are the work of primarily one man? Hendrick de Keyser. In fact, it’s not just towers that Hendrick designed. He is also responsible for creating and building some of the city’s most important and impressive structures.
You can say that Hendrick de Keyser was one of the rock star architects of the Dutch Golden Age.
But before becoming an architect, Hendrick was a talented sculptor and stone mason. So much so, that the city of Amsterdam appointed him Head Carpenter and Stonemason in charge of the city’s works. The city wanted de Keyser to design structures that reflected the city’s new wealth, importance and power. And de Keyser did just that. From this time, up until his death in 1621, de Keyser designed and helped build the Zuiderkerk, Noorderkerk, Munttoren, Montelbaanstoren, Jan Roodenpoortstoren and his crowning achievement, which was completed after his death by his son Pieter, the Westerkerk. He even designed and built one of the first stock exchanges in the world, right off of Dam Square and the Rokin. (Note: the Roodenpoortstoren and the first stock exchange no longer exist)
You can really see his sense of style in some of his Amsterdam houses and buildings- the use of red brick and white stone, with high stepped- gable fronts. To see this you can visit the Amsterdam offices of the VOC (the Dutch East India Company), the Bartolotti House and the House with the Heads, which is now the Embassy of the Free Mind. Imposing and grand, these buildings manage to be both simple and ornate.
You can also see de Keyser’s work as a stone mason. Check out the Rasphuispoort gate off of the Kalvertoren Mall; his relief over the entrance to the Spinhuis; the funeral procession gate of the Walloon Church (with its two skulls) and the eye-catching entrance to his own mason’s guild at the Waag.
Lastly, de Keyser’s marble and bronze tomb of William of Orange is an impressive sight. Sitting prominently in the New Church in Delft, it is a fitting tribute to one of the Netherlands most beloved heroes. De Keyser designed his own burial place in the Zuiderkerk in Amsterdam.
I bring up his name often on my tours as we walk by many places with his designs and influence. His recognizable work still endures and helps make Amsterdam one of the most beautiful cities in Europe.
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