Zeven wereldwonderen en belangrijke uitvindingen 1806 - 1854

Gerrit Oortman created this print, "Seven Wonders of the World and Important Inventions," sometime before his death in 1822. It's a modest thing, made with the relatively inexpensive techniques of etching and hand-coloring. Yet it encapsulates a grand vision, juxtaposing ancient monuments like the Pyramids with inventions such as the printing press, the telescope, and the thermometer. These are presented as equally wondrous achievements, testimony to human ingenuity. Look closely, and you'll notice the figures at work in several of the scenes: labourers building, scholars studying, and artisans crafting. This brings out a powerful point: all these wonders, whether natural, architectural, or intellectual, are the result of human effort. Oortman subtly reminds us that progress depends on the contributions of many. This print is a reminder that even seemingly humble works can convey profound ideas about labor, progress, and the collective human endeavor.