Gezicht aan het Spaarne 1797

Dirk Langendijk made this drawing titled 'View on the Spaarne' using pen in grey and brush in grey around the late eighteenth century. The drawing invites us to think about the cultural landscape of the Dutch Republic. We see the river Spaarne, with boats carrying goods and passengers. On the banks, people are loading and unloading cargo. In the background, a windmill stands tall, a symbol of Dutch ingenuity. In this period, the Dutch Republic was a major economic power, with a vast network of trade routes spanning the globe. Langendijk's drawing offers a glimpse into this world, and the economic activity it generated. It comments on the social structures of its time, showing the labour involved in moving goods and people. As historians, we look to sources such as period maps, shipping records, and tax documents to understand this time. This drawing provides us with a valuable window into the past and is dependent on its social and institutional context.