Reparaties aan sloepen 1820 - 1872

This pencil drawing of "Repairs to Sloops" was created by Hendrik Abraham Klinkhamer. It presents a seemingly simple, yet rich glimpse into 19th-century Dutch maritime life, a world heavily gendered and classed. With careful strokes, Klinkhamer captures boats laid ashore for repair. Attention is brought to the figure of the craftsman amidst his work, a symbol of labor. In this era, the sea wasn't just a backdrop, but a source of livelihood, with strong ties to national identity. The labor in this image stands in stark contrast to the Romantic visions of nature that were also in vogue. Klinkhamer instead shows the real, unglamorous labor that sustains communities. The drawing invites a look at labor, skill, and the socio-economic realities of the working class.