Walvissen gestrand tussen 1519-1617 op de Nederlandse kust, 1617 1617

This engraving by Nicolaes van Geelkercken, made in 1617, depicts whales stranded on the Dutch coast between 1519 and 1617. In the early 17th century, the Dutch Golden Age was marked by significant economic and cultural shifts, including a growing interest in natural phenomena. Van Geelkercken's work captures the tension between wonder and utility as the beached whales become both a spectacle and a resource for the local population. The scene is a vivid depiction of the intersection of natural events, human activity, and emerging scientific curiosity. The artist documents a specific time and place, while subtly commenting on humanity's relationship with the natural world. The engraving invites us to reflect on our own present moment in relationship to the natural world, and how these relationships shape our identities and shared histories.