Haven en Zijl te Makkum 1786 - 1792

Carel Frederik Bendorp created this print of Haven en Zijl te Makkum in the Netherlands, sometime in the late 18th or early 19th century. It shows a tranquil harbor scene, complete with grazing sheep and a modest sailing vessel. What does this image tell us about Dutch society at the time? We see a relatively prosperous town, engaged in trade and agriculture. The Dutch Golden Age of the 17th century had brought unprecedented wealth and global power. While that period had passed, the Netherlands remained a significant economic force, and this image reflects that stability. But prints like these also served a social function. They were bought and sold, collected into albums, and displayed in homes. Through them, the Dutch citizenry developed a shared visual culture and sense of national identity. To understand this print more fully, we can research the history of Makkum, the economy of the Netherlands during this period, and the development of Dutch printmaking. Art is never created in a vacuum; it reflects and shapes the society that produces it.