Viewpoint The Lamme Schans - Leiden

Around this spot near the Lamme Bridge over the Rhine-Schie Canal, entranchment the Lammenschans was once located. An entrenchment is an ancient defensive structure, usually simply made of earth. The Lammenschans was built in 1573 and meant to protect the city.

About a century and a half later, painter Frans van Mieris (II) stood on this spot and made an etching from the entrenchment, looking out over the city of Leiden. The original work is part of a private collection This image shown was later made by Abraham Delfos, after the same work by Van Mieris. Particularly striking is the unobstructed view of churches and windmills, while in the 21st century you can see apartment blocks on the same spot.

Artist Frans van Mieris (II) (Leiden, 1689 - 1763), was also called Frans van Mieris the Younger because he continued the trade of his father (Willem van Mieris) and of his famous grandfather of the same name (Frans van Mieris (I)). He was director of the Drawing-Academie in Leiden, worked in the Van Mieris studio and, in addition to history paintings and portraits, made many drawings and etchings.