Anker en een gedeelte van een schip bij laag tij 1807 - 1810

John Linnell made this drawing of an anchor and part of a ship at low tide using graphite on grey paper. The composition is dominated by the large, diagonal thrust of the anchor, its wooden stock and metal fluke rendered with precise, linear strokes. Note how Linnell uses the rope wrapped around the anchor to create a focal point, a complex knot of lines that adds texture and visual interest. The muted tones of grey emphasize the play of light and shadow across the forms, lending a sense of quiet stillness to the scene. The formal arrangement here reveals a deeper engagement with the themes of stability and transience. The anchor, a symbol of steadfastness, is juxtaposed with the transient state of low tide, suggesting a world in constant flux. This interplay of elements destabilizes any fixed interpretation, inviting us to reflect on the shifting grounds of meaning itself.