Man met zak op de schouder bij zonsopgang 1779 - 1781

Cornelis Brouwer created this print, “Man met zak op de schouder bij zonsopgang,” using etching. This image of a man with a bag on his shoulder is a window into the social realities of the 18th-century Netherlands. At this time the Dutch Golden Age was coming to an end. What was once a powerful empire was now a shadow of its former self. Brouwer’s piece represents the common man amidst the changing tides of fortune. We see a lone figure, burdened by his sack, set against a seascape at sunrise. The ships in the background may represent the once-powerful Dutch naval fleet. The man perhaps represents those who sought new opportunities elsewhere. The Rijksmuseum, where this piece is housed, plays a crucial role in preserving and interpreting such works. Institutions like these allow us to explore the narratives embedded in art. Through careful research into Dutch history, maritime trade, and social structures, we gain insight into how Brouwer's print reflects the era's anxieties and aspirations.