Neptunus met nereïden en tritons: het element water c. 1620 - 1655

Abraham van den Hecken created this engraving, "Neptune with Nereids and Tritons: the Element Water," sometime in the first half of the 17th century. The god Neptune is shown amidst revelry. But beyond the mythological subject, we can see a fascinating intersection of cultural and institutional influences. Made in the Netherlands during the Dutch Golden Age, the print reflects the Republic's burgeoning maritime power and its deep connection to the sea. Consider the role of the Dutch East India Company, a powerful economic institution whose ships dominated global trade routes. Representations of sea power were a visual echo of Dutch mercantile success. The print also engages with the visual language of classical antiquity. The Rijksmuseum, where this print now resides, plays a vital role in shaping our understanding of Dutch art and its place in a global narrative. By studying the print's style, subject matter, and historical context, we can gain a deeper appreciation of its cultural significance.