A View of the Harbour, Rotterdam 1856

Johan Barthold Jongkind created 'A View of the Harbour, Rotterdam' with oil on canvas, capturing a bustling port scene. Jongkind, a 19th-century Dutch painter, lived through a time of great social and economic change, as industrialization transformed Europe. In this painting, we see ships of various sizes, with sailors and workers going about their tasks. The figures are rendered with quick brushstrokes, suggesting a sense of movement and energy. As the ships come and go, they bring stories of international trade, cultural exchange and perhaps also colonial exploitation. The social classes are represented here too, from the working class figures on the docks to the higher status individuals in the boats. Jongkind's choice of subject matter—the working harbor—reflects a broader artistic interest in capturing everyday life, and it invites us to reflect on the complex interplay of labor, commerce, and human experience.