Koophandel en Zeevaart, decoratie op de Nieuwmarkt, 1795 1795

This print, "Koophandel en Zeevaart, decoratie op de Nieuwmarkt," was made in 1795. The anonymous artist created this scene to commemorate commerce and seafaring in the Netherlands. The print depicts a grand ship atop a pedestal. The pedestal is adorned with a scene of men of color offering goods to white men. The image is a window into the complexities of Dutch identity during a time of burgeoning global trade and colonialism. The presence of the ship highlights the economic power and global reach of the Dutch Republic, a reach that was facilitated by the exploitation of human beings and natural resources in distant lands. This work invites us to consider the narratives we construct around national identity and economic success. It asks us to look closely at whose stories are told and whose are left out. It also challenges us to reflect on the legacies of colonialism that continue to shape our world.