Schip op een scheepswerf 1610 - 1665

"Ship in a Shipyard" is an etching made by Salomon Savery, a Dutch Golden Age artist. During this period, the Netherlands was a dominant maritime power. These ships weren't just vessels; they were symbols of Dutch identity, trade, exploration, and military strength. Savery gives us a glimpse into the complex labor systems required to keep the Dutch empire afloat, literally. The etching depicts a large ship under repair, surrounded by the hustle and bustle of workers. Consider the lives of these anonymous laborers, whose work fueled the nation's prosperity. The ship itself becomes a complex site of social and economic exchange, connecting distant lands and diverse peoples. Savery's etching invites us to reflect on the relationship between maritime power, labor, and national identity in the Dutch Golden Age. It serves as a reminder that the grandeur of empire was built on the backs of countless individuals whose stories often remain untold.