Het leggen van fundering in de rivier Possibly 1677 - 1696

This engraving, "The Laying of Foundations in the River," was created by Cornelis Meijer in the 17th century. Its structure is defined by two distinct horizontal registers, separated by a band of water. The upper register depicts a method of laying foundations using complex tools. Figures and animals are shown working in an artificial landscape, their forms rendered with precise lines. The lower register mirrors this activity, but with figures and animals traversing the open water. The visual language is one of efficiency and control, yet the overall composition suggests a deeper commentary on the relationship between nature and human ingenuity. Each element, from the tools to the figures, is meticulously rendered, inviting us to contemplate the cultural values attached to labour and engineering during the Dutch Golden Age. This artwork prompts us to consider how humans impose order on the natural world and the structures that underpin our civilization.