Haven met hengelaar 1603 - 1658

Abraham Casembroot created this etching titled ‘Haven met hengelaar’—or ‘Harbor with Fisherman’— in the 17th century. Casembroot lived during the Dutch Golden Age, a time of immense economic growth and global maritime expansion for the Netherlands. This detailed etching illustrates the bustling activities within a harbor. We can see a fisherman and child sitting near the water, while various ships, each rendered with close attention to detail, populate the scene. This reflects the period’s emphasis on maritime power and trade. However, it's important to remember that the prosperity depicted here was built on global colonial exploitation and the labor of enslaved people. The artist has chosen to focus on figures engaged in the everyday activities of fishing and trade. These intimate details invite us to consider the complex social fabric and the human cost of the expanding Dutch empire. This piece captures a moment in time, but it also serves as a reminder of the intertwined histories of progress, inequality, and human experience.