Trade And Globalization In Timothy Brooks Vermeer's Hat

In the 1600’s mercantilism and globalization began to weave a web of trade and exchange of culture, values, traditions, goods, beliefs, religion, and ideas that changed this world forever. With colonial Europe expanding they needed trade to support their economy. This globalization and mercantilism is illustrated by Timothy Brooks in his book, Vermeer’s Hat. In this novel Johannes Vermeer uses paintings as a window to show the reader an in depth view of trade and globalization in the seventeenth century. Each painting has certain elements that represent trade and globalization in some way. By using paintings, Vermeer is able to subliminally show the way globalization can be seen in Europe in the seventeenth century. In the first painting titled, “View of Delft” Vermeer illustrates the main port of trade in the Netherlands. At first glance, one might assume the painting is a picture of just a port that holds little to no historical
When you first look at the painting you can see an extremely detailed map in the background. The map, for its time, has intricate features and distinctions that show land masses, islands, and inlets. This would be essential for trade routes and efficiency. In addition, Vermeer is dressed in fine clothes which signifies his importance and prestige. Later, in the reading we learn that Vermeer’s hat is made of Canadian beaver pelts. This shows the global connection between the Netherlands and Canada. When put in perspective, in the 1600’s the Netherlands and Canada are an extremely long ways away. This shows the dominance and power the Netherlands exhibited at the time in regards to trade and mercantilism. By having a global connection thousands of nautical miles away we see how Vermeer shows, yet again, another global connection illustrated in another