Allegory on the flourishing of the Dutch Fishery after the Second Anglo-Dutch War (1665-67) 1667 - 1671

Willem Eversdijck painted "Allegory on the flourishing of the Dutch Fishery after the Second Anglo-Dutch War (1665-67)" with oil on canvas to commemorate the end of the Second Anglo-Dutch War. This work reflects the complex interplay between political events and cultural identity. Eversdijck situates us in the 17th century, a time when the Dutch Republic was a major maritime power. The painting shows a group of men fishing, an activity that symbolizes the economic strength and maritime prowess of the Netherlands. However, it is crucial to understand that this prosperity was not shared equally. The fishing industry, while lucrative, relied on a strict social hierarchy and labor practices that often exploited those at the bottom. The artist seems to be developing a narrative around Dutch identity and prosperity, but it is a narrative that perhaps overlooks the experiences of marginalized individuals. Consider the emotional and personal investment in such nationalistic representations. What stories are told, and whose voices are left unheard?