Landschap met water en zeilschepen c. 1828 - 1897

Adrianus Eversen made this landscape with water and sailing ships, using pencil to convey the scene. Eversen, who lived and worked in the Netherlands during the 19th century, was known for his cityscapes which often romanticized Dutch urban life. Looking at this sketch, we might consider how the social and political context of the Netherlands shaped its artistic production. During Eversen’s time, the Netherlands was undergoing significant industrial and economic changes. The ships in the drawing stand as representations of trade and colonialism, intertwined with national identity. The sketch evokes a sense of nostalgia and perhaps even a subtle acknowledgement of the colonial history that was a part of the economic landscape. Eversen invites us to reflect on the complexities of progress and how they intersect with individual and collective experiences.