Calm Water 

Simon de Vlieger painted Calm Water in the Dutch Golden Age, a period of great wealth and artistic achievement for the Netherlands. The painting depicts a tranquil scene of ships at anchor, but it also reflects the maritime power of the Dutch Republic in the 17th century. The detailed rendering of the ships and the calm, reflective water are visual codes that suggest stability and control, both at sea and in the burgeoning mercantile economy back on land. The Dutch East India Company, established in 1602, was at the height of its power during de Vlieger's lifetime, facilitating global trade and projecting Dutch influence across the world. To truly understand this artwork, we need to consider the historical context of Dutch maritime expansion and consult resources such as trade records, shipping manifests, and accounts of naval power, to better appreciate how art both reflects and shapes its social and institutional contexts.