Roeiboot met figuren bij een tweemaster 1830 - 1860

Albertus van Beest made this drawing of a rowboat with figures near a two-master ship sometime in the mid-19th century using pen in brown ink and brush in gray. The contrast between the brown ink and the gray wash creates depth, giving the impression of sunlight on water. Van Beest captured the ship's scale by juxtaposing its towering presence with the small rowboat nearby, emphasizing the labor-intensive nature of maritime transportation and the relationship between man and machine. The precise lines and shading require both technical skill and artistic vision. The tools and techniques utilized were accessible, yet the artist's proficiency elevates the piece beyond a mere sketch. Through his attention to detail, Van Beest not only documents maritime life but also invites us to consider the economic and social forces that propelled these vessels across the sea.