Het laden van een schip 1617 - 1660

Matthieu van Plattenberg created this etching of a ship being loaded, capturing a bustling 17th-century harbor scene. Dominating the image are the ships, symbols of trade, exploration, and connection across vast waters. Consider the loaded ship, a vessel carrying goods and people. It evokes ancient images of arks and rafts, vessels of salvation and new beginnings. In antiquity, the ship was often a metaphor for the journey of life or the soul, navigating the seas of existence. Looking further back, the imagery has its roots in the Egyptian "Ship of the Dead," which carries the soul to the afterlife. Notice how van Plattenberg captures this powerful symbolism, layering it with the gritty reality of maritime commerce. This integration is a testament to the enduring power of images, how they resurface, evolve, and take on new meanings in different historical contexts.