Veerpont 1855 - 1904

Arnoud Schaepkens created this print called Veerpont, which means ferry, using etching. Schaepkens was a Dutch artist who lived through a time of significant change in Dutch society. Industrialization was beginning, and new ideas about individual rights and freedoms were emerging. His art captured the daily life of ordinary people. Here, we see a group of people, and even a horse, being transported by ferry. What might seem like a simple scene tells us about the importance of waterways for transportation and trade in the Netherlands. It also shows the close relationship between people and animals in rural life. The Rijksmuseum's collection of prints and drawings, along with other historical records, can provide us with a deeper understanding of the economic activities and social customs of the time. The image reminds us that art is not made in a vacuum. It reflects the world around the artist, preserving the culture for future generations.