Saluutschoten bij het uitzeilen van de driemaster Macassar 1847

Egidius Linnig created the etching "Saluutschoten bij het uitzeilen van de driemaster Macassar" in 1857, portraying a three-masted ship departing, accompanied by celebratory gun salutes. During the 19th century, maritime scenes were popular, often romanticizing seafaring and trade. However, this work subtly hints at the complex socio-economic realities intertwined with maritime activities. The presence of onlookers, both on smaller vessels and ashore, prompts a consideration of class distinctions inherent in the maritime world, and invites us to think about global trade and colonialism. The "Macassar," hints at Dutch colonial presence and its implications for the local populations and resource exploitation. Linnig’s print encourages us to reflect on the relationship between the grandeur of sailing ships and the labor, exploitation, and colonial power structures that underpinned their journeys. It's an illustration of how art can both celebrate and provoke questions about our history.