Boten op woelend water 1840 - 1843

Joannes Willem Vos created this print called 'Boten op woelend water', or boats on troubled water. It speaks to the maritime culture of the Netherlands and the ever-present threat posed by the sea. The image depicts a blustery scene with fishing boats pulled ashore during a storm. The churning waves and dark clouds evoke the awesome, destructive power of nature. In the 19th century, the Netherlands was a seafaring nation. The fishing industry was a vital part of the Dutch economy and culture, but it was also a dangerous occupation. Prints like this one romanticized the lives of the fishermen and their families, emphasizing their resilience and courage in the face of adversity. The print also reflects the growing interest in landscape and genre painting during this period, which was often supported and shaped by the art market and institutions like the Rijksmuseum itself. Understanding the social and economic context in which art is made allows us to see it not just as a beautiful object, but as a reflection of the values and beliefs of a particular time and place. This can be achieved by looking at shipping records, economic data and museum archives.