Gezicht op de Maas te Rotterdam 1851 - 1902

Carel Nicolaas Storm van 's-Gravesande created this etching titled 'Gezicht op de Maas te Rotterdam'. The composition is dominated by a series of horizontal lines suggesting the movement of water. The artist used subtle tonal variations to create a sense of depth and atmosphere. A detailed examination reveals an intricate network of lines, each contributing to the overall texture. The sparseness of detail in the buildings on the horizon, contrasts with the textured surface of the water closer to the viewer. This use of line and form might reflect the influence of Japonisme and its emphasis on simplified forms and asymmetrical compositions, which were highly influential during this period. The etching technique itself, with its capacity for fine detail and subtle gradations, mirrors a semiotic system; lines act as signs conveying information about the subject's form and texture. This approach to representation challenges fixed notions of realism, favoring a form of visual shorthand that invites interpretation.