Schip in een ornamentele lijst met triton en nereïde 1717

Bernard Picart etched this image of a ship in an ornamental frame in 1717. The mythological figures of Triton and Nereid flanking the central image point us to the cultural importance of maritime trade in the Netherlands at this time. In the early 18th century, the Dutch Golden Age was beginning to wane, yet the country remained a major economic power due to its extensive overseas trade networks, established by the Dutch East and West India Companies. The presence of a fully rigged ship in this etching, framed by figures from classical mythology, speaks to the perceived glory and might of the Dutch merchant fleet. As historians, we understand that images like these are not neutral depictions of reality, but rather carefully constructed representations of power. By studying archival sources, such as company records and personal correspondence, we can better understand the complex social and political context in which this image was made and consumed.