Een scheepslift in een rivier Possibly 1677 - 1696

Cornelis Meijer made this print of a ship lift in a river, but the image is more than just a technical drawing. It encapsulates the ambitious engineering projects of the Dutch Golden Age. This was a time when the Netherlands was a leading economic and maritime power, expanding its global trade routes. The print visualizes an innovative solution to navigate ships through shallow waters. Notice how the ship enters a lock-like structure, presumably to be lifted over a shallow stretch of the river. This speaks to the Dutch Republic’s progressive approach to infrastructure and technology. Their investment in these areas reflects their economic aspirations. As an art historian, my task is to uncover the rich layers of meaning embedded in this image. We can research period documents such as engineering plans, trade records, and travel accounts, all of which contribute to our understanding of the print as a product of its time.