Kustgezicht in Nederland 1904 - 1910

James Craig Annan made this photogravure, ‘Kustgezicht in Nederland’, using a photographic process to create an image of a coastal scene in the Netherlands. The subdued, almost monochromatic palette really sets the tone, and it's all about process, about capturing a moment, a mood, as much as a place. What strikes me is the texture - the grainy quality of the sand, the soft focus on the figures in the distance. It feels like a memory, something seen through a haze. Look closely at the way the light catches the sails of the boats - it's so subtle, almost dreamlike. It's like the image itself is breathing, changing with the light. This piece reminds me a little of Whistler's seascapes, they share that sense of atmosphere, that feeling of being immersed in the landscape. It's a reminder that art isn't just about representation, it's about feeling, about capturing something fleeting and intangible.