De zeilwagen van Simon Stevin, 1602 1603 - 1699

This etching from 1602, by an anonymous artist, depicts Simon Stevin’s sailing carriage. It captures a moment of Dutch ingenuity during the early 17th century, a period marked by both scientific curiosity and political upheaval as the Dutch Republic fought for independence from Spain. Here we see Stevin's invention, a carriage powered by sails, carrying dignitaries along the beach. The invention symbolizes the Dutch Republic's embrace of innovation and its aspirations for maritime dominance. The presence of nobles riding the carriage speaks to the intersection of science and power. Yet, this image is also a product of its time, reflecting a society structured by class and privilege. The labor and knowledge of many are distilled into a spectacle for the few, an imbalance that invites us to consider whose stories are amplified and whose are marginalized. It serves as a reminder of the complex interplay between progress, power, and representation in the making of history.