Beach Scene with Ketches and other Fishing Boats c. 1656

Reinier Nooms, also known as Zeeman, created this etching of a beach scene with fishing boats. Born into poverty in Amsterdam, Nooms lived a life at sea, sailing to places such as North Africa. His experiences undoubtedly shaped his artistic focus on maritime subjects. Here, the flat horizon line dominates the scene, filled with calm waters and clouded skies. Figures are scattered along the shore, diminutive in scale, yet they stand firm, hauling nets and pushing boats out to sea. What does it mean to witness the daily labor of working people? The print is not just a picturesque scene, it also encapsulates the tough lives of the working class, and the complex relationship between humans and the natural world. This piece speaks to the narratives of labor, survival, and the sea as a source of both sustenance and risk.