Het schip Eendracht 1658

Alven Rost's drawing, 'Het schip Eendracht' or 'The Ship Concord,' pictures a vessel that was, at the time, a potent symbol. We see in brown ink a Dutch ship sailing through the sea. The title of the ship, 'Eendracht', meaning concord or unity, holds significance as it encapsulates the spirit of the newly formed Dutch Republic. This state, born out of revolt against Spanish rule, was keen to project an image of harmony and strength. The ship, therefore, becomes an allegory for the Republic itself, sailing confidently into the future despite the storms it may face. Moreover, the ship also signifies the country's economic aspirations and the role of the Dutch East India Company, which used ships like these to facilitate global trade. Historians often look to drawings like these to understand the social, political and economic currents of the past. Archival records, political pamphlets, and economic data can all help us better understand what a ship such as this one represented during this time in Dutch history.