Anthonie van Borssom created this pen and brown ink drawing, Marine, during the Dutch Golden Age, a period marked by unprecedented economic prosperity and artistic innovation in the Netherlands. At the time, the Dutch Republic was a major maritime power, and scenes of ships, ports and waterways like this one celebrated Dutch maritime prowess and its role in global trade. In this serene landscape, the detailed rendering of the boats, the distant village with its windmill, and the figures in the foreground connect the viewer to the everyday life and labor that fueled the Dutch economy. It’s as if van Borssom asks us to consider who is included and excluded from this prosperity, inviting us to reflect on the human element within the grand narrative of trade and expansion. The drawing offers a moment of contemplation amidst the bustling activity it depicts.