Gezicht op het varen van de schepen in de haven 1742 - 1801

Georg Balthasar Probst's "View of ships sailing in the harbor" is an engraving, a print, that offers a glimpse into 18th-century maritime life. Consider the context of the Dutch Golden Age, a period of immense naval power and global trade. This image reflects the era’s economic ambitions and the central role of the sea. Note the confident positioning of the ships, symbols of exploration and commerce, but consider also the human cost of this expansion. The scene hints at the unequal distribution of wealth and power inherent in colonial endeavors. The print doesn't shy away from the labor that sustains this maritime world. Fishermen and workers are visible along the shore. Probst captures a world of commerce and labor, of opportunity and exploitation, that was central to the development of the modern world.