Visserspink te Katwijk 1885 - 1927

Gerhard Morgenstjerne Munthe made 'Visserspink te Katwijk' using watercolor. It’s so light and quick, right? Like a visual note jotted down on the fly. Look at the way he layers the washes of color to build up the form of the boat. It’s all about transparency, letting the light filter through the layers. I love how the dark, almost black hull contrasts with the pale, watery sky and sea. The texture of the paper peeks through in places, reminding you that this is a handmade object. That single, bold stroke of the rudder really anchors the whole composition, doesn't it? It's as if Munthe is saying, "Here, I'm present, I'm making this." I think of Turner, a little. Both are interested in capturing a fleeting moment, but Munthe does it with such a delicate touch. It’s a reminder that art is a conversation, an ongoing exploration of seeing and feeling.