Zeilschepen op kalme zee 1888 - 1891

Willem Steelink the second made this etching of sailing ships on calm seas some time in the late 19th or early 20th century. The print depicts a tranquil maritime scene, likely on the coast of the Netherlands, and evokes themes of Dutch identity and maritime power. The composition is notable for its focus on labor, with smaller boats filled with anonymous figures, suggesting their reliance on the sea for sustenance and trade. Steelink made this during the later years of the Hague School, and this is notable in its realist depiction of everyday life. This reflected a broader cultural desire to capture the spirit of the Dutch people and landscape as the country modernized. Museums and art academies played a crucial role in shaping this artistic movement, promoting a sense of national pride. To understand this work fully, you'd need to know more about the economic conditions of Dutch fishing communities at the time and how artists were responding to these. Only then can we really appreciate its meaning.