Gezicht op de Maas met sleepboten 1864 - 1909

This etching by Cornelia Christina Johanna van Trigt-Hoevenaar, captures a view of the Maas River, teeming with tugboats. The vessels, with their tall masts and billowing sails, evoke a sense of both adventure and commerce. These ships, ancient symbols of travel and trade, have long held a potent place in our collective consciousness. Consider the ship as a vessel carrying not just goods, but also ideas and cultural exchanges. The earliest ships were sacred symbols, guiding souls in the afterlife in ancient Egypt, and in classical antiquity, ships appeared as symbols of state and power. Here, the tugboats plough through the water, their presence a testament to human ingenuity and the enduring quest to bridge distances and explore new horizons. The psychological impact is profound, reflecting our innate desire for progress and the constant evolution of our relationship with the natural world.