Aankomst in de haven van Vlissingen 1746 - 1766

Richard Purcell created this print called, “Arrival at the Port of Flushing,” in the mid-1700s. It shows a fraught scene of a boat approaching a storm-tossed harbor. Purcell was working at a time when the print market was exploding in Europe and Britain. Prints like these were relatively cheap, but they could still be traded and sold. Prints like these played a key role in circulating ideas. They could be displayed at home, in coffee houses, or even used to promote political and philosophical positions. This print shows a Dutch harbor, but it was made and sold in London. The image romanticizes a sense of adventure and maritime power. It’s also a reminder of England’s close relationship with the Netherlands at this time. To understand these contexts, historians look into archives, libraries, and museums. They examine who purchased such works, and what roles these images played in people’s lives. By understanding the original context, we can appreciate how artworks can become tools for trade and diplomacy.