Aangemeerd zeilschip 1900 - 1931

This sketch of a moored sailing ship was made by Willem Bastiaan Tholen sometime between 1875 and 1931, using graphite on paper. The texture of the paper gives the drawing its tooth, as the graphite catches the light. The artist has deftly rendered not only the shapes of the ship, but also the effects of light and shadow upon it, using only a humble pencil. But don't be fooled by the apparent simplicity. The ship itself is a feat of design and engineering, built by skilled labor. The sketch hints at all the work that goes into sailing, from the making of ropes, to the construction of the ship itself. It invites us to consider the labor, politics, and consumption involved in the nautical world. Next time you look at a drawing, think not only about the artist's hand, but the complex systems of making that it represents.