Islamitische galeislaven maken een galei klaar voor droogdok

Cornelis de Wael created this print, “Islamic Galley Slaves Preparing a Galley for Dry Dock,” sometime between 1592 and 1667. The image offers a glimpse into the complex dynamics of maritime labor and cultural identity in the 17th century. De Wael, who lived in Italy for a long time, created the print during a period marked by increased European maritime expansion and trade with the Islamic world. It depicts enslaved Islamic people performing the arduous task of readying a galley for dry dock, under the supervision of a European figure. The image thus speaks to the intersections of trade, religion, and power, reflecting the hierarchical structures of the time. It’s impossible to ignore the fraught dynamic between the enslaved laborers and their overseer, highlighting the human cost of maritime trade. De Wael's work invites us to reflect on the legacies of slavery and the representation of marginalized communities in art.