Old town hall of Amsterdam

Signed and dated on the awning on the right. The houses and the tower were all part of Amsterdam's town hall on Dam Square until 1652. It looks rather decrepit, despite the attractive pink and yellow color. In 1641 the Haarlem painter Pieter Saenredam made a sketch of the old town hall. Not until 1657 did he develop the drawing into this painting, which was then bought by the burgomasters of Amsterdam. Pieter Saenredam was a painter of architecture. He specialized in church interiors, but also portrayed other buildings with utmost care and precision. (http://www.rijksmuseum.nl)