Gezicht op vier zeilboten before 1887

This black and white image, "Gezicht op vier zeilboten," which translates to "View of Four Sailboats," was made by A.J. West. The print gives us a glimpse into the leisure activities of the late 19th century, a time when sailing was both a sport and a symbol of wealth and exploration. However, the image is cropped in an unusual way, leaving the viewer with only a partial view of the boat on the bottom and the horizon line near the top. The high contrast between the boats and sky creates a feeling of tension. What does it mean to only see parts of the boats? Perhaps the artist is saying that there is much more to the world than what we allow ourselves to see. How do you feel when you view this work? Do you feel calm and pensive, or maybe a little anxious?