Gezicht op de Oude Jachthaven te Amsterdam, 1652 1727 - 1733

Abraham Rademaker's "View of the Old Marina in Amsterdam," made in 1652, presents a seemingly straightforward depiction of the city's waterfront. But this etching opens a window onto the Dutch Republic's complex relationship with its maritime power. Notice the windmills that punctuate the horizon – a symbol of Dutch ingenuity in harnessing natural resources for economic gain. The bustling harbor reflects Amsterdam's role as a global center of trade. But we must also remember that this wealth was built on the exploitation of resources and people across the world, enabled by powerful institutions such as the Dutch East India Company. Rademaker's seemingly innocent landscape thus becomes a reminder of the intertwined histories of commerce, colonialism, and cultural production. To truly understand this image, we need to delve into archival sources, economic data, and historical accounts that shed light on the social conditions that shaped both the city and the artwork itself.