Haven van Volendam 1888 - 1931

Willem Adrianus Grondhout made this etching titled "Haven van Volendam", or "Port of Volendam". Grondhout's choice of subject matter, a busy harbour in the Netherlands, speaks to a broader interest in capturing everyday life and the working classes at the turn of the 20th century. Volendam, with its traditional costumes and bustling fishing industry, was a popular subject. But Grondhout also plays with visual codes of the art world. The etching medium, with its detailed linework, creates a sense of immediacy. We might ask if it is conservatively picturesque, or progressively focused on labor? The Rijksmuseum itself—as an institution dedicated to preserving Dutch heritage—plays a role in shaping how we view such images. By researching period sources such as local newspapers, economic data, and exhibition reviews, we can better understand the social context that gave rise to this etching. Art history depends on understanding the world of art and its cultural institutions.