Aankomst van de zeven schepen bij de straat Waygats, 1595 1615 - 1617

This print, made in 1595 by an anonymous artist, depicts the arrival of seven ships at the Waygats Strait. The image is made from an engraving, a process by which lines are incised into a metal plate, which is then inked and printed onto paper. The linear quality of the engraving emphasizes the cool, graphic depiction of the ships, landscape and Arctic sea. Look closely, and you'll see the names of the ships, and their home ports. They appear like products, commodities in their own right. The arrival of these ships at Waygats tells a story of exploration and commerce. Ships like these were crucial to expanding trade routes, connecting distant lands, and establishing new markets. The print itself becomes a document of a society driven by maritime power. Prints like this one challenge the traditional distinctions between fine art and craft, as they demonstrate how commercial images contribute to cultural narratives, and shape our understanding of the world.