Boten op het strand van Scheveningen 1827 - 1873

Hendrik Wilhelmus Last created this print of boats on the beach of Scheveningen, using etching and aquatint. In the 19th century, Dutch artists frequently depicted maritime scenes, reflecting the Netherlands' deep connection to the sea and its identity as a seafaring nation. The beach wasn't just a place of labor, it was also a social space. Here, the figures on the beach represent a cross-section of society, from working-class fishermen to bourgeois families enjoying a day out. The inclusion of women and children highlights the communal nature of beach activities and provides insight into gender roles. Last's print offers a glimpse into how leisure and labor were intertwined within the social fabric of 19th-century Dutch coastal life. The beach becomes a stage where the stories of everyday people unfold, against the backdrop of the ever-present sea.