Geschiedenis der scheepvaart 1875 - 1903

This print, titled "Geschiedenis der scheepvaart" or "History of Shipping", is by Jan de Haan. It presents a series of boats chronologically across sixteen small vignettes. Each boat is rendered with detailed linework and gentle washes of color, emphasizing its distinct structural characteristics. We see a semiotic system of signs, such as ships from different eras and regions, each conveying its cultural and historical associations. The composition is a grid, a structure often associated with encyclopedic and scientific displays of knowledge. By cataloging these vessels, the print not only displays their forms, but also creates a narrative, suggesting an evolution of human ingenuity and exploration through maritime technology. The grid structure, therefore, highlights both the diversity and the progression inherent in the history of shipping.