Links am Wasser eine Villa mit einer großen Treppe, viele Damen und Herren kommen aus dem Hause, um in zwei Boote zu steigen 

Jacob Esselens created this pen and brown ink and gray wash drawing of a villa on the water sometime in the mid-17th century. The elegant figures embarking on boats suggest a society focused on leisure and commerce. Esselens worked in the Dutch Golden Age, a period of unprecedented economic growth and cultural achievement for the Netherlands. Dutch art from this time often depicted scenes of everyday life, reflecting the values and interests of a rising merchant class. It's worth noting that this affluence was built on global trade networks, including the Dutch East India Company, whose activities had a tremendous impact on global social structures. To fully appreciate this drawing, we can delve into the records of Dutch trade and social history. By examining these resources, we gain a deeper understanding of the world that shaped Esselens' art.