Het schip wordt gekeerd om de bodem te breeuwen en harpuizen, plaat nr. 8, ca. 1700 1690 - 1710

This print, made around 1700 by Sieuwert van der Meulen, shows the laborious process of maintaining a ship. It’s made using etching and engraving, techniques that allow for fine detail and a wide distribution of images on paper. The image depicts a ship being careened, turned on its side to allow for the hull to be caulked and sealed with pitch. This was essential for ocean-going vessels, constantly battered by seawater and prone to leaks. Notice the workers swarming around the ship – their collective labor was vital for the maritime economy of the Dutch Golden Age. The print itself serves as a document of this process, a testament to the skilled labor involved in shipbuilding and maintenance. It reminds us that even the grandest ships relied on human ingenuity and effort. Looking closely, we can appreciate how this image transcends the boundaries of fine art, offering valuable insight into the social and economic context of its time.