Stoomboot en zeilschepen op de Maas 1851 - 1902

Carel Nicolaas Storm van 's-Gravesande created this etching of steamboats and sailboats on the Maas River. Living from 1841 to 1924, Storm van 's-Gravesande navigated a world undergoing rapid industrial and social change, and you can see this tension reflected in the artwork. The steamboat, a symbol of modernity, churns through the water, while traditional sailboats dot the horizon. This contrast speaks to broader shifts in Dutch society during this period, as new technologies began to reshape long-standing ways of life. It invites us to consider the human element within these sweeping changes. What did these transitions mean for the sailors whose livelihoods depended on the wind? The etching captures a fleeting moment in time. It encourages us to reflect on how progress impacts our relationship with the environment.