Kustlandschap 1847 - 1891

Johan Conrad Greive created this coastal scene with graphite on paper sometime in the mid-19th century. At first glance, the image evokes a sense of tranquility, but looking closer, we see a beached boat, seemingly out of commission, alongside local figures wading in the shallows. Made in the Netherlands, this drawing reflects the country’s intimate relationship with the sea and the fishing industry. The scene might prompt us to consider the social and economic conditions of maritime communities in the 19th century, a period of significant industrial and economic change. How did changes in the technology of seafaring and the growth of international trade impact Dutch coastal towns and the lives of their inhabitants? Was Greive, who came from an artistic family, invested in romanticizing their way of life or documenting the harsh realities of these communities? These questions are just the beginning of the kind of research that art historians can do in understanding the painting and its place in Dutch society.