Admiraliteitsmagazijn Rotterdam, ca. 1790 Possibly 1786 - 1825

Carel Frederik Bendorp produced this watercolor and gouache drawing of the Admiralty warehouse in Rotterdam around 1790. At this time, the Dutch Republic was a major maritime power, and the Admiralty was responsible for building and equipping the fleet. The image presents a view of a busy port with ships, a warehouse, and a windmill. Visual codes of Dutch identity are prominent, emphasizing the importance of trade and naval power to the Dutch Republic. Consider how the geographic features of the low countries shaped the culture and economy of the Netherlands. The institutional history of the Admiralty provides context for understanding the social conditions that shaped the production of art in the Netherlands at this time. Was the artist commissioned by the Admiralty, or was this an independent work? What was the artist's relationship to the institutions of power in Dutch society? Historians can investigate archival records, period newspapers, and other primary sources to gain a deeper understanding of this image.