Vlaardingen 1894

This is Alexander Schilling's "Vlaardingen", a delicate etching, a testament to the artist's travels, probably created in the late 19th century. Schilling, born in Germany, captured scenes from the Netherlands, reflecting the late 19th-century vogue for picturesque European locales. This particular piece transports us to Vlaardingen, a Dutch city, rendered with soft lines and a muted palette. The detailed depiction of the city's harbor is a window into a world shaped by maritime trade and cultural exchange. In a society that was rapidly industrializing, prints such as these offered viewers an accessible means of engaging with images and narratives of different places. While Schilling's travels and artistic output reflect the mobility afforded to certain classes during this time, the lives of the working people who inhabited these port cities are equally important. Consider the quiet rhythm of daily life. This piece connects us to the past while inviting reflection on our own place within a globalized world.