Stoomboot 1855 - 1904

Arnoud Schaepkens created this etching of a steam boat on a river. Schaepkens was a Dutch artist born in Maastricht during the Kingdom of the Netherlands. His etching provides us a glimpse into the period of industrial progress and its intersection with daily life. We can see passengers on the boat, presumably travelling for work or leisure. The mood evokes a sense of bustling activity and the changing social landscape. Steamboats revolutionized transport but also reshaped the cultural understanding of time and distance. Schaepkens uses the detailed etching to capture the grittiness of the industrial age, but also the excitement of progress. It serves as a poignant reminder of how technological advancements are always intertwined with our lives, influencing not only our modes of transport but also our perceptions and experiences.