Jacht op zeeschildpadden 1612 - 1652

This print, titled "Hunting Sea Turtles," was made anonymously, using engraving. As a glimpse into maritime life, it reflects the intersection of culture, commerce, and the natural world. Engravings like this one, likely made in the Netherlands during its Golden Age, served various purposes, from illustrating books to circulating images of distant lands and their resources. The scene depicts men in boats, actively hunting sea turtles, with larger ships looming in the background. This detail subtly alludes to the broader context of Dutch maritime power and colonial expansion during this era. Sea turtles, a valuable source of food and materials, became a target of commercial exploitation. Prints like this, found in museum collections, offer invaluable insights into the social, economic, and environmental history of the early modern world. By studying such artworks, along with archival documents, we can better understand the complex relationship between humans and the natural world, and the historical roots of contemporary ecological challenges.