De vlootlanding bij Philippine, 1600 1610 - 1624

This print, dating to 1600, depicts the fleet landing near Philippine. It’s an engraving, meaning the image was incised into a metal plate, probably copper, which was then inked and printed onto paper. The real subject here is labor. The image shows hundreds of ships, each one built by hand. The amount of work involved in constructing and maintaining a fleet of this size is simply staggering. Think of all the carpentry, the sailmaking, the rope-tying – a vast, coordinated effort. And then consider the labor that went into this print. The engraver had to translate the energy of this massive fleet into a network of incredibly precise lines. This required skill, patience, and the right tools. In a sense, the print mirrors the very activity it depicts: a concentrated effort to bring something new into being. So, when you look at this print, think about all the hands that made it possible. It’s a testament to the power of collective labor, and a reminder that even the most seemingly effortless images are the product of human effort.