Gezicht op de glasblazerij op het Roeterseiland te Amsterdam before 1726

Abraham Zeeman created this etching of the glassworks on Roeterseiland in Amsterdam in the first half of the 18th century, offering us a glimpse into the city's industrial landscape. It was a time when the Dutch Republic was a major economic power, but also a society marked by stark social inequalities. The print invites us to reflect on the daily lives of workers and the class distinctions of the period. From a distance, the scene might appear idyllic, but on closer inspection, we see figures fleeing the smoke-filled factory, perhaps a representation of the dangerous conditions faced by laborers. The glass factory, a symbol of industry and innovation, looms in the background, while in the foreground, we observe people, some leisurely seated, others in apparent distress. Zeeman's etching prompts us to think about the relationship between progress and human suffering. The image holds a mirror to the complex social dynamics of its time, asking us to consider who benefited from economic growth and who bore its costs.