Schepen op de Schelde 1846 - 1913

Isidore Meyers created this print of ships on the Schelde, likely in the late 19th or early 20th century, using etching. Meyers was a Belgian artist, and his work often depicted scenes of daily life, especially maritime activity, reflecting the economic importance of ports like Antwerp during this period. Etchings like this were part of a broader print culture that democratized art, making it accessible to a wider audience beyond the wealthy elite who commissioned paintings. Consider the social conditions that shaped artistic production. Printmaking allowed artists to circulate their work and ideas more broadly, potentially influencing public opinion and challenging existing social norms. Historical research into the socio-economic history of the Schelde River and the development of printmaking in Belgium would shed further light on the meaning and significance of this work.