The Shipyard 'St Jago'on Bickers Eiland, Amsterdam 1823

Pieter Godfried Bertichen made this painting of the 'St Jago' shipyard on Bickers Eiland in Amsterdam using oil on panel. It gives us an insight into Amsterdam's economic infrastructure, dominated in the 17th and 18th centuries by ship building. We can see the city’s prosperity depended on the work of artisans and labourers. Bickers Eiland was at the time one of the islands forming the Amsterdam harbour, and had been developed as a shipbuilding centre since the 17th century. The painting captures the industry of ship construction with great attention to detail, which was key to the culture of the city. The image presents both the grandeur of naval construction and the everyday lives of the workers. This dual focus reflects the cultural values of the time, balancing pride in economic power with an awareness of the labor it demanded. To further understand the economic and institutional factors influencing Bertichen’s painting, one might consult municipal records. In doing so, we recognize the importance of historical context in interpreting the social significance of art.