Bomschuit op strand 1885 - 1931

Frederika Henriëtte Broeksmit made this tiny etching of a boat on a beach, using thin lines. It feels like she was trying to catch the exact moment that the boat landed—a little like when you’re trying to catch a fish! I can imagine Broeksmit standing on the shore with her materials, carefully observing the light and shadows. You know, sometimes, when I’m painting, I feel like I’m wrestling with the subject, trying to pin it down. This work feels calm, but I reckon she might have struggled to find the right way to suggest the movement of the water! The diagonal lines give the work a slightly tilted, almost unstable feel. It reminds me of other artists like Gustave Courbet, who were also trying to capture the raw and unfiltered essence of everyday life. It's like we're all in this big conversation across time, inspiring each other!