Roerganger aan boord van de J.P. Coen 1921

Jan Veth made this pencil drawing, Roerganger aan boord van de J.P. Coen, in the Netherlands. The image presents a profile view of a helmsman, identified by his cap, likely aboard the ship J.P. Coen. Veth was active during a period of intense national reflection on the Netherlands' colonial past, particularly its presence in the Dutch East Indies. The ship's name itself is a potent symbol, referencing Jan Pieterszoon Coen, a controversial figure known for his role in establishing Dutch dominance through violent means. It's worth considering whether Veth's choice of subject and title is a commentary on Dutch colonial history. Was he celebrating or questioning the legacy of figures like Coen? These questions open up interesting avenues for historical investigation. By researching the history of the ship, the figure of Jan Pieterszoon Coen, and the cultural context in which Veth was working, we can begin to understand how this image engages with the complex and often troubling history of Dutch colonialism.