Gezicht op Amsterdam c. 1685 - 1690

Pieter van den Berge created this etching, "Gezicht op Amsterdam," offering us a panorama dominated by ships, those floating symbols of trade and connection. Notice how the flags atop these vessels, more than mere national emblems, swell with the breath of commerce itself. They call to mind the Roman vexillum, a banner signifying power and military might, now repurposed for mercantile ambition. The ship motif journeys through time, from ancient Egyptian funerary boats ensuring passage to the afterlife, to the Viking longships carrying warriors and explorers. Each epoch infuses the vessel with its own mythos. The Dutch Golden Age channels collective dreams of prosperity and global reach into this maritime scene. This image does more than depict; it evokes the psychological currents of a society buoyed by its own success, a powerful reminder of our enduring fascination with exploration and exchange. And as with every image, it circles back, influencing our present understanding.