Bomschuit en strandkarren op het strand van Scheveningen c. 1870

Andries Jager created this photograph of a fishing boat and beach carts on the beach of Scheveningen, capturing a slice of 19th-century Dutch coastal life. During the 1800s, fishing was not just an occupation, but a deeply ingrained way of life for coastal communities. The bomschuit, a type of beached boat, was essential for fishermen navigating the shallow waters of the North Sea. Here, the photograph frames the lives and labor of working-class individuals who depended on the sea for their livelihoods. Note the people standing near the boat. Their presence is a stark reminder of the human element in this scene, highlighting the connection between people and their environment. This image serves as a historical document, but also a study into the relationship between labor, community, and the sea. It invites us to reflect on the passage of time and how communities adapt to their environment, while also underscoring the universal human need for connection and belonging.