Embleem over de windhandel, 1720 1770 - 1780

"Embleem over de windhandel" is an anonymous etching from the Netherlands created between 1770 and 1780. The artwork depicts a coat of arms with a devil’s head at the top, surrounded by a wreath of foliage and topped by a cart filled with people. This scene is a commentary on the “Wind Trade” or the “Dutch East India Company,” which was a Dutch company established for trade with Asia. The work was likely commissioned by the company or a person close to the company to celebrate its success. The work is a powerful reminder of the political and social climate of the time period, and its emphasis on the Wind Trade reflects the importance of overseas trade to the Dutch economy.