Schepen voor de kust bij Harlingen 1779 - 1785

"Schepen voor de kust bij Harlingen" (Ships off the coast of Harlingen), created by Mathias de Sallieth (1749-1791) between 1779 and 1785, depicts a Dutch seascape with a focus on the maritime activity in the harbor of Harlingen, Friesland. This etching, now housed in the Rijksmuseum, captures the detail of a ship anchored off the coast, with a smaller vessel in the foreground, likely a fishing boat. The artist was a Dutch painter and engraver known for his depictions of marine scenes. The title "Schepen voor de kust bij Harlingen" and the inscription on the print, "KUST VAN FRIESLAND, naby Harlingen," provide context to the viewer, highlighting the specific location and the importance of maritime trade in the region.