Acht zeilschepen op zee, van achteren gezien 1620 - 1664

Stefano della Bella created this etching titled, "Eight Sailing Ships at Sea, Seen from the Rear," sometime between 1610 and 1664. It’s a scene reflecting the intersection of maritime power, commerce, and artistic expression during the early modern period. Della Bella, an Italian artist, rendering ships, an industry which was essential to global trade, naval dominance, and colonialism. From our contemporary vantage point, we might consider how these ships were not merely vessels of trade, but also vehicles of cultural exchange, conflict, and exploitation. The smoke billowing from one ship perhaps a reminder of the violence that often accompanied maritime expansion. Look at the way that della Bella captures the drama of the sea. Does the etching invite you to contemplate the human stories behind these vessels? The sailors, merchants, and explorers who traversed the oceans, driven by dreams of wealth, conquest, and adventure? It serves as a lens through which to examine the complex relationship between humanity and the sea, and the social, economic, and political forces that shaped the world we inhabit today.