Gezicht op de Koolvliet te Antwerpen 1883

Henri François Schaefels created this etching of the Koolvliet in Antwerp sometime in the late nineteenth century. This image presents an intimate view of Antwerp's urban fabric, and it offers a glimpse into the social dynamics of a bustling port city. Schaefels uses the technique of etching to create intricate details, from the architectural facades to the figures in the boats. This was a time of significant social and economic change in Europe, with the rise of industrialization and urbanization transforming cities like Antwerp. As a port city, Antwerp was a hub for trade and commerce, but also a site of social inequality and labor exploitation. The image hints at the lives of ordinary people who worked in the harbor, while the presence of the church tower suggests the enduring influence of religious institutions in daily life. By researching historical archives, census records, and other visual materials, we can gain insight into the social, economic, and cultural context in which this image was made. Art offers a window into the past.