Boten op zee 1837 - 1853

This print, "Boten op zee," or "Boats at Sea," was created by Carel Christiaan Antony Last. Last was active during a period of significant maritime expansion and trade in the Netherlands. Notice the small rowboat battling against the choppy waves, juxtaposed with the larger, more majestic ships in the background. This contrast reflects the daily lives of ordinary seamen against the backdrop of larger global events, suggesting themes of labor, risk, and the human relationship to the sea. The print invites us to consider the complexities of maritime life and the human stories embedded within it. How do you imagine their lives at sea?