Twee driemasters en andere schepen before 1793

Gerrit Groenewegen created this print, “Twee driemasters en andere schepen”, sometime in the late 18th or early 19th century, using etching and engraving. At the time, the Dutch Republic dominated maritime trade, and prints like these were popular souvenirs. But these ships weren't just for trade. They also carried enslaved people across the Atlantic. In this context, the commercial activity represented here, gains a darker significance, reminding us of the exploitation and suffering that fueled this economic expansion. While Groenewegen’s work appears to celebrate Dutch maritime power, it also invites us to reflect on the complex and often troubling aspects of this history, and how the legacy of colonialism and slavery continue to shape our world today. So, as you look at the ships and the people on the shore, think about the stories they tell and the histories they carry.