Oorlogschip en drie zeilschepen op volle zee 1767 - 1780

Bernhard Schreuder captured this image of warships and sailboats in an etching. Notice the flags of the ships, symbols of national identity and power, blowing in the wind. Flags, as potent symbols, remind us of the banners carried in ancient battles, seen on Roman standards. The image of billowing flags transcends mere representation; it evokes a feeling of national pride. One only has to remember the French Revolution, with the Tricolore leading revolutionary troops. These simple pieces of cloth carry with them centuries of collective memory, embodying the hopes, fears, and aspirations of entire nations. The sea and the ships become a stage for national narratives, each journey laden with the weight of history. These symbols have resurfaced, evolved, and taken on new meanings throughout time.