Zeilschip op zee, op achtergrond andere schepen 1620 - 1664

Curator: This etching, dating from the Dutch Golden Age, is titled "Zeilschip op zee, op achtergrond andere schepen," which translates to "Sailing ship at sea, with other ships in the background." It's attributed to Stefano della Bella and is held here at the Rijksmuseum. Editor: It strikes me immediately as a portrait of trade and industry! All these ships together like that… There is almost a feeling of bristling energy, ready for export or warfare. Look at the detail, the multitude of ships. The mood, in monochromatic form, still transmits a feeling of being at the heart of maritime commerce. Curator: Absolutely, and consider that the labor behind shipbuilding, the craftsmanship involved in rigging these vessels – all facilitated by readily available lumber. That monochrome, though, speaks to the technology. The artist employed etching, an intaglio printmaking method, cutting into a metal plate before applying ink. It speaks to a burgeoning print culture, reliant on the material skills of artisanry, but scalable for widespread consumption and display. Editor: I can imagine, the labor put into this image! Every sail rendered just so, each line imbued with a sort of understanding for cultural movement across borders, a testament to nautical progress! One ship, firing its cannons– perhaps not all trade happened peacefully. There is the suggestion of something martial alongside a lot of merchant traffic! Curator: Yes, conflict, commerce, colonialism all interlinked. This isn't just an aesthetic pursuit but an active visual symbol contributing to state image making! Each billowing sail almost feels symbolic of capital exchange and imperial influence in the making of global maritime industry. Editor: Fascinating, as all emblems work to be seen across borders, even through time! So a trade route of symbolism too is visible in this Stefano della Bella etching: the individual, at sea, contributing to cultural memory to future generations! I’ll definitely keep all of this in mind on the way out. Curator: I agree, understanding the materiality really enhances the symbols on display and what those stand for in history and culture.