Gezicht op de Maas after 1666

Joost van Geel’s etching depicts a scene on the Maas River, dominated by ships that cut through the water. These aren't just any ships; they are symbols of Dutch power and prosperity during the Golden Age, reflecting a society deeply connected to the sea for trade and defense. Consider, the ship itself: a vessel, a carrier of souls and goods. It appears in ancient Egyptian funerary boats, meant to transport the dead to the afterlife, or in the ships of Viking burials, promising passage to Valhalla. Here, in Geel’s etching, the ship carries connotations of Dutch exploration and mercantile ambition. Notice the small figures on the shore, dwarfed by the vessels—the emotional effect is one of awe before human industry. The ship is a potent symbol, traversing literal and metaphysical waters. It is constantly re-emerging, changing form, yet always resonating with our collective memory.