Zeilschepen en een roeiboot c. 1745 - 1785

Anthonij van der Haer created this etching called 'Sailing ships and a rowing boat', during the 18th century, a period defined by maritime power and global trade. The print offers a glimpse into the complex dynamics of Dutch maritime culture. While seemingly a tranquil scene of ships and daily labor, it evokes the immense economic and human costs connected to maritime trade. The artist develops traditional nautical representations and hints at alternative narratives by drawing attention to the figures in the rowing boat and the workers on the shore. The image becomes a study of class and labor within the larger narrative of maritime activity. The emotional and experiential aspect of this work lies in its ability to evoke both a sense of wonder at maritime travel, and a somber acknowledgment of the labor and lives that sustained it.