Zwei Schiffe liegen nebeneinander, auf dem einen wird das Segel aufgezogen, im Hintergrund vier andere, links im Gebüsch ein Dorf 

Editor: Here we have a drawing by Nicolaas Wicart, titled "Zwei Schiffe liegen nebeneinander, auf dem einen wird das Segel aufgezogen, im Hintergrund vier andere, links im Gebüsch ein Dorf", rendering roughly to "Two ships lie side by side, on one the sail is hoisted, in the background four others, on the left in the bushes a village". The washes of watercolor and ink give it a peaceful, almost ethereal quality. What do you make of this scene? Curator: The Dutch Golden Age saw an explosion of genre paintings and landscapes that weren't just about pretty scenery. Given the Netherlands' economic power at the time, largely driven by maritime trade, harbor scenes were incredibly popular. They were potent symbols of national pride, of mercantile success, and of the interconnectedness of Dutch society. Consider, whose story does this drawing tell, and whose does it omit? Editor: That’s interesting. So you're saying it's not just a picturesque view, but also a reflection of the Netherlands’ commercial empire? I hadn't thought of it that way. Is it glorifying the activities depicted, or making a neutral statement? Curator: It’s complex. These images were definitely commissioned and consumed by a particular class: merchants, ship owners, city officials. But within that seemingly celebratory portrayal, are we shown the complete story of seafaring life, the costs involved, the exploitative practices of the time? Editor: So, you're encouraging me to consider not just what's shown, but what's deliberately *not* shown? Curator: Exactly. Who benefits from this image? Whose story isn't being told in the delicate washes of this watercolour? And how did these scenes contribute to a national narrative that favored particular interests? Editor: This really changes how I see these seemingly simple harbor scenes. I appreciate the reminder to look deeper at these images as cultural and political statements. Curator: And hopefully, you'll continue to question the narratives that art presents to us.