Gezicht op de haven van Schiedam 1780 - 1787

Mathias de Sallieth created this view of the port of Schiedam using etching. During the late 18th century, the Dutch Republic was a major maritime power, and harbor scenes like this one celebrated the nation's economic strength and global reach. But who benefited from this prosperity, and at what cost? These ships, symbols of trade and progress, were also instruments of colonialism and the transatlantic slave trade. Schiedam was a vital port for the Dutch West India Company, deeply involved in the exploitation of enslaved Africans and the extraction of resources from colonized lands. Notice how the artist captures the bustling activity of the harbor. While the ships evoke adventure and opportunity, we must also remember the human stories of those who were transported against their will, whose labor fueled this economy. This image invites us to reflect on the complex relationship between commerce, colonialism, and human suffering, urging us to consider the full history behind this seemingly serene scene.