Zwei Schiffe liegen bei einer Brücke, links auf dem Wege mehrere Figuren 

Cornelis Claesz. van Wieringen created this pen and brown ink drawing, titled "Zwei Schiffe liegen bei einer Brücke, links auf dem Wege mehrere Figuren," sometime between the late 16th and early 17th centuries. Van Wieringen was a Dutch Golden Age painter known for his marine scenes. During this period, the Dutch Republic was a major maritime power, and art often reflected the importance of ships and the sea to Dutch identity and prosperity. Two ships rest near a bridge, while figures populate the scene, creating a sense of everyday life intertwined with maritime activity. The figures on the road offer a glimpse into the lives of ordinary people in this bustling maritime society. Their presence alongside the ships underscores the connection between the individual, the community, and the broader world of trade and exploration. Van Wieringen captures the essence of a society shaped by its relationship with the sea, inviting us to reflect on the human stories behind the grand narratives of maritime power and exploration.