Seehafen, vorne querüber ein Holzgitter 

Ludolf Backhuysen made this drawing of a harbor scene with pen and brush in the 17th century. It is an evocation of one of the key institutions of Dutch economic power at the time. Dutch paintings from this time often celebrated the power of the sea. This was an important symbol of the country’s political power and its economy, which relied on shipping and trade. The image creates meaning by showing the cultural and historical associations of the Dutch with maritime power. Specific features of Dutch culture, such as its geography and economic structures, clearly influenced the artwork, which highlights the institutions that shaped artistic production. As art historians, we often use archives to access the historical records that allow us to understand the economic and political circumstances that influenced artworks, helping us to realize that the meaning of art is dependent on its social and institutional context.