Schepen 1716

This print, Schepen, by Jan Bouman, presents eight distinct ship types rendered in meticulous detail. Each vessel is framed within its own rectangular panel, arranged in a grid that emphasizes structure and order. Bouman’s consistent use of line and muted colour creates a visual rhythm, yet each ship’s unique configuration disrupts complete uniformity. The interplay between line and plane is particularly intriguing, with carefully etched lines defining the ships’ forms and textures. Color serves to highlight specific areas, drawing our attention to the sails and hulls, and adding depth. The semiotic dimension of this work cannot be ignored; these ships, each labeled, function as signs representing maritime power and trade. The print can be understood as a visual taxonomy, categorizing and presenting the various ship types of the time. Bouman doesn't just depict boats; he constructs a system, an almost linguistic structure through which we might read the maritime world. The formal clarity in Bouman's work underscores how visual elements can operate within, and comment on, broader cultural and economic structures.