Anonymous: Dance house 'De Pijl' (1810-1813)

(Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam, The Netherlands)

A print made by an unknown Dutch artist. The Pijlsteeg ('arrow lane') was one of the two streets (along with the adjacent Halsteeg, now Damstraat) where brothels were allowed in Amsterdam. The dance house 'De Pijl' (= The Arrow) was a brothel which was located in the Pijlsteeg. This print shows the dance hall of the brothel. In the background in the center you can see a woman sitting behind a desk, this is the owner of the brothel. Print from 1810-1813.