Koophandel en Zeevaart, decoratie op de Nieuwmarkt, 1795 1795

A. Verkerk made this print of a decoration in the Nieuwmarkt in 1795. It was made using an etching technique, a printmaking method in which lines are incised into a metal plate with acid. The fine lines of the print allow for intricate details, seen especially in the depiction of the ship, allegorical decorations, and the architecture of the square. The etched lines create a sense of depth and texture, which gives volume to the image and emphasizes the monument's presence in the public square. The print refers to the Dutch Republic's maritime power and commercial prowess, with the ship symbolizing trade and exploration. As such, the print suggests an association between artistic creation, historical commemoration, and the economic activities that shaped the Netherlands during the 18th century. This association reveals how deeply enmeshed the world of art was with maritime trade.