Gezicht op het Oost-Indisch Zeemagazijn en de VOC-scheepswerf op Oostenburg te Amsterdam 1693 - 1694

This is Joseph Mulder’s engraving of the East India Company’s warehouse and shipyard in Amsterdam. Mulder created this print during a time when the Dutch Golden Age was beginning to wane, but the Dutch East India Company remained a dominant force in global trade. The print invites us to consider the human cost of this economic power. While the image celebrates Dutch mercantile prowess, it also speaks volumes about the lives and labor that fueled it. Who were the people who built and sailed these ships? From the skilled craftsmen to the nameless laborers, their stories are etched into this scene. Here, the grandeur of the warehouse contrasts sharply with the bustling activity of the shipyard, revealing the complex relationship between commerce and labor. Mulder's print offers a glimpse into a world of both opportunity and exploitation, prompting us to reflect on the legacy of colonialism and its enduring impact on global society. As we gaze upon this scene, let us remember the human stories that lie beneath the surface.