Bomschuit op strand 1885 - 1931

Frederika Henriëtte Broeksmit made this etching of a boat on a beach probably sometime in the early 20th century. Look at the way she's built up the image with these short, confident scratches, like she’s mapping out the world one line at a time. The texture is so tangible. I can almost feel the grit of the sand and the salt spray on my face. Notice how the density of the lines creates shadows and depth. See the way she's used the white of the paper to suggest the bright, reflective surface of the water? It's like she’s not just showing us a boat, but the whole sensory experience of being there, by the sea. There is one particular mark, this almost accidental scratch near the boat's hull, it feels so raw and immediate. It reminds me of the etchings of James McNeill Whistler, but with an earthier, more grounded feel. It’s like she’s inviting us to get lost in the moment, to feel the elemental forces at play, and to find beauty in the everyday.