Schipperswal, Hattem 1882 - 1926

Gerrit Haverkamp made this etching, titled 'Schipperswal, Hattem,' without a specified date. Haverkamp lived through a period of significant social change, marked by industrialization and urbanization that often led to the displacement of marginalized communities. Here, Haverkamp depicts a scene of daily life at Schipperswal, likely capturing the itinerant existence of working-class individuals who lived on the margins of Dutch society. The composition emphasizes the close quarters and transient nature of this community, with modest dwellings and figures rendered with detailed realism. Note the way Haverkamp portrays figures of women and children, suggesting the diverse roles they occupied within this unique socio-economic context. Schipperswal, in Haverkamp’s rendering, becomes more than just a place; it's a mirror reflecting broader questions of identity, belonging, and the human condition amidst the currents of history.