Vrouwe die de vrije schepen...... 1938 - 1939

This is a piece by Samson NV, made with paint on paper, and it presents a portrait of a regal woman surrounded by illustrations of ships. The application of the paint is intricate, with precise lines that define the sails and hulls of the ships, which feels very intentional. The ships are rendered in exquisite detail, and the colours are harmonious, predominantly gentle blues, golds and greens. The sea isn't just a background; it almost feels like a character itself, with its subtle variations in tone. Zooming in, there’s a particular ship towards the bottom right, its sails puffed out, flags fluttering as if caught in a perpetual breeze, it makes me wonder if the ship and the sea are in dialog? I'm reminded of the work of Joseph Cornell, particularly his box constructions, which also possess a similar dreamlike quality. Just like Cornell, Samson’s work feels like a window into a world both familiar and strangely distant, making me consider the blurry line between representation and imagination.