Two Empty Skiffs c. 17th century

Editor: This is "Two Empty Skiffs" by Allart van Everdingen. It's a very detailed print, seemingly depicting a coastal scene with some buildings and boats. What strikes me is the contrast between the activity on land and the emptiness implied by the skiffs. What do you see in this piece? Curator: I see a layered narrative deeply rooted in material exchange. Observe the timber stacked along the shore— likely destined for shipbuilding. Van Everdingen’s etching highlights the transformation of raw materials through labor and trade. How does this interplay between the natural landscape and human industry inform your understanding? Editor: That’s interesting! I hadn't considered the timber's role in shipbuilding and trade. It gives the "empty skiffs" a sense of anticipation, like they’re waiting to be filled with goods. Curator: Precisely. And considering the artist's travels in Norway, this scene may reflect the resource exploitation inherent in Dutch maritime power during the Golden Age. This makes me reconsider this image. Editor: I learned to consider that art can be about the physical labor that goes into it!