Oorlogsschepen 1875 - 1903

Jan de Haan created this print of warships to be included in a series of children’s prints. Without an exact date, we can still appreciate that this image, like many others, reflects the intersection of childhood innocence with the looming presence of military power. The prints educational intent subtly normalizes the idea of naval strength, which was a key component of Dutch national identity and economic power, during an age of imperialism. These vessels were the means by which the Dutch projected their power globally. Gender is evident in the ships themselves, often referred to as "she," embodying a complex relationship between masculinity, dominance, and nationhood. Consider the emotional impact on a child viewing this image: the excitement of adventure intertwined with the implicit understanding of the role of these ships in trade and military conflict. These prints were not mere representations of ships, they were vessels carrying cultural and political messages to future generations.