Instructie van zeevaarders 1652

Crispijn van de Passe’s etching, “Instructie van zeevaarders” from 1652, depicts a group of sailors receiving nautical instruction from a teacher. The scene takes place in a classroom setting where the sailors study nautical charts, compasses and other navigational tools. The instructor is depicted standing on a platform and pointing at a celestial globe, symbolizing the importance of celestial navigation for seafaring. The artwork, now housed in the Rijksmuseum, showcases the importance of maritime skills and knowledge in 17th-century Dutch society.