Oorlogsschip op weg naar de haven 1561 - 1565

Frans Huys made this print, “Warship on the Way to Port,” sometime in the mid-16th century. During this period, the Low Countries were a nexus of maritime innovation and imperial expansion, with ships like the one depicted here becoming symbols of Dutch power and global reach. Yet, these vessels also represent a darker side of history. They were instruments of colonial violence, vehicles for the transatlantic slave trade, and potent reminders of the human cost of economic ambition. Huys’s print invites us to consider the complexities of maritime history and the ways in which progress for some was intertwined with exploitation for others. It serves as a reminder that even seemingly straightforward images can carry layers of meaning, reflecting both the triumphs and the tragedies of the past.