Gezicht op het zoeken naar de walvissen 1742 - 1801

"Gezicht op het zoeken naar de walvissen" (View of the search for whales) is a 1742-1801 etching by Georg Balthasar Probst, currently housed in the Rijksmuseum. The detailed scene depicts a fleet of ships navigating icy waters, with sailors in small boats hunting whales. The dramatic use of light and shadow emphasizes the harshness of the environment and the danger of the pursuit. The accompanying text, in Dutch, French, and German, highlights the global reach of whale hunting during this period. This print offers a fascinating glimpse into the 18th-century whaling industry, a significant trade that transformed both economic and cultural landscapes.