Wedstrijd van de K.N. Yachtclub, op het IJ. - 10 sept. 1846 1846

Carel Christiaan Antony Last made this print of the K.N. Yachtclub regatta on the IJ river in 1846. It shows a festive occasion, but it also tells us something about the social and economic life of the Netherlands at that time. Looking closely, we see a sharp division between the ships involved in the race and the boats carrying spectators. The Yachtclub itself was an exclusive institution, and the regatta would have been an opportunity for the upper classes to display their wealth and status. In the background, we can see the industrial activity on the river IJ, a sign of the growing importance of trade and industry in the Netherlands. This print is therefore not just a record of a sporting event, but also a snapshot of a society in transition. To understand this image better, we might consult the archives of the K.N. Yachtclub, or look at contemporary accounts of life in Amsterdam. By placing art in its social and institutional context, we can gain a deeper understanding of its meaning and significance.