Zeilboten c. 1841 - 1865

Petrus Johannes Schotel made this sketch of sailboats with graphite. Schotel lived in a time when the Netherlands still very much depended on its nautical power and maritime trade. As such, seascapes and depictions of ships were a celebration of Dutch identity and a reflection of the country's economic and military strength. But there's also a more personal element to consider. For artists like Schotel, who specialized in marine subjects, the sea was not just a symbol of national pride. It was also a source of inspiration and a space of contemplation. These sketches provide a raw, unfiltered look into the artist’s process as he captures the essence of these vessels. How does this directness affect your perception of the artwork? Does it bring you closer to the subject, or does it emphasize the distance between the viewer and the vastness of the sea?