Haven met sleepboten 1947

Jan de Gruijter made ‘Haven met sleepboten’ – or ‘Harbor with tugboats’ – with ink and watercolor on paper in 1947. De Gruijter’s illustrative style gives these boats and fish an almost cartoonish appearance. The ink lines define their forms with a playful quality. Notice how the artist used watercolor washes to evoke the sky and sea, adding a dreamlike touch. While seemingly simple, the drawing reflects a deeper engagement with the materials. The choice of ink and watercolor, combined with the hand-drawn lines, suggests a deliberate return to traditional methods of art-making. In a time of increasing industrialization, such a choice implies a commentary on the value of individual skill. The repetitive rendering of the boats and fish, each slightly different, underscores the human touch. ‘Haven met sleepboten’ invites us to consider the relationship between art, labor, and the changing landscape of post-war society. It’s a reminder that even in a world of mass production, the handmade retains its own unique power.