Mediterraans zeehaven 1825 - 1873

Pierre Louis Dubourcq made this print of a Mediterranean seaport sometime in the mid-19th century. Its serene beauty may strike us today, but it is worth considering what the image meant to viewers in the Netherlands at that time. Here, Dubourcq presents a tranquil view of a distant land, complete with picturesque cliffs, pristine waters, and quaint architecture. The scene speaks to the romanticization of foreign cultures, particularly those of the Mediterranean, which was common in the 19th century. The Dutch, with their extensive maritime history, were keen to imagine themselves as worldly, cosmopolitan, and knowledgeable about faraway places. The artwork also highlights the increasing accessibility of travel and trade, reflecting the expanding global networks of the time. To fully understand this artwork, one might explore travelogues, historical trade records, and the institutional history of Dutch printmaking. This print, then, is not just an image of a place, but an artifact that embodies the complex social and cultural dynamics of its time.