Oorlogsschip Hercules loopt van stapel, 1782 1782

Johannes Schoenmakers made this print of the warship Hercules being launched in Dordrecht, Netherlands, in 1782. The print shows the social and economic structures of the Dutch Republic at this time. Warships like the Hercules were vital for the Dutch, a seafaring nation whose wealth depended on maritime trade and naval power. Shipyards like the one shown here provided employment, while the ship itself was a symbol of national pride and military might. The print serves as a reminder of the importance of shipbuilding and maritime power in Dutch society during this period. We can learn more about the Dutch Republic in the 18th century by consulting archival documents, contemporary newspapers, and travel accounts. These sources can tell us much more about the political and economic context in which this image was made.