Gezicht op een ruwe zee met schepen 1836

Théodore Fourmois made this print of a rough sea with ships using lithography sometime in the mid-19th century. The churning sea and ominous sky connect to wider cultural anxieties of the time, especially the changing relationship of humans to nature. The image’s meaning emerges from visual codes depicting the sublime power of nature, a popular theme in Romantic art. Produced in Belgium, this artwork reflects a nation deeply intertwined with maritime activities and the economic importance of shipping and trade. The print may subtly critique the era’s rapid industrialization. The focus is on the vulnerability of ships and human life against the raw force of the sea. This starkly contrasts with the technological optimism often celebrated in industrializing societies. Historians use a variety of resources like shipping records, economic reports, and period literature to more deeply understand works like this. Ultimately, art's significance is deeply rooted in its social and institutional contexts.