Zijdehandel en allegorische figuren 1708 - 1780

This etching, "Zijdehandel en allegorische figuren," by Jacob Houbraken (1698-1780) depicts the Dutch silk trade. Houbraken's allegorical engraving, held at the Rijksmuseum, showcases a scene of women examining and weaving silk, symbolizing the Dutch textile industry's prosperity and its role in international trade. The scene is rich in detail, with ships sailing in the background, a cherub with a trumpet, and an array of tools and fabrics, all emphasizing the importance of the silk trade to the Dutch economy in the 18th century.