De kaap 1927

Johannes Frederik Engelbert ten Klooster created this woodcut, "De kaap," which translates to "The Cape," using black ink to depict a group of figures in a boat navigating tumultuous waves. Ten Klooster was a Dutch artist who lived through significant social and political changes. His art often reflects the experience of the working class and the sea as a site of both labor and peril. In this print, the figures are rendered as silhouettes, emphasizing their collective struggle against the overwhelming power of nature. The choppy waters, depicted with stark lines, create a sense of urgency and danger, highlighting the vulnerability of the figures. The choice to use a woodcut emphasizes themes of labor and struggle through the carving process. There is a sense of immediacy and rawness, which mirrors the emotional weight of the subject matter. "De kaap" invites viewers to reflect on the precariousness of human existence and the power of collective effort in the face of adversity.