Enkele zeilschepen, bij de wal 1820 - 1872

Hendrik Abraham Klinkhamer made this study of sailing ships at dock with graphite and gray wash on paper, sometime in the mid-19th century. Look closely, and you’ll see the hand of the artist, and get a sense of how he translated the volume of the boat into two dimensions. Notice the precision of the draftsmanship, particularly in the rigging. The use of gray wash gives a sense of depth, and captures the play of light on the water. The artist has rendered the textures of the ship's hull and sails through a layering of strokes. The drawing can be seen as a product of its time, when there was a high demand for images documenting the industry and infrastructure of the Netherlands. While on the surface, it may appear to be a straightforward representation, it also reflects the social and economic significance of maritime activity in the Netherlands during this era. Paying attention to materials, making, and context allows us to understand the relationship between art, craft, and society.