In veilige haven, 1914 1914

This commemorative plate, “In veilige haven”, was made in 1914 by N.V. Société Céramique, and it's just a trip, right? The gentle pastels, the line work, give a sense of peace. It's on porcelain, so the colors have this delicate, almost translucent quality. See the way the figures are arranged, all huddled together? The paint application is so smooth, you can hardly see the brushstrokes. It's like the image is floating on the surface. Look at the central female figure, the primary color is white, the way she stands, like an island of safety. It reminds me a bit of James Ensor, that kind of dreamy, slightly unsettling vibe, but with a Dutch sensibility. Both artists seem to know that art doesn't have to shout; it can whisper and still be heard.