Gezicht op de Schreierstoren te Amsterdam 1873 - 1938

Herman Eduard Knaake made this watercolour painting, Gezicht op de Schreierstoren te Amsterdam, at an unknown date. It's all about the process, isn't it? The soft, washed colors give the whole scene a dreamy, almost melancholic feel. Look at the way he’s handled the sky, those grey clouds hanging heavy – they’re not just clouds, they’re a mood. And the water, so still, reflecting everything above. The painting’s surface is smooth, the washes blend seamlessly, creating a sense of atmosphere and distance. It's interesting to note how Knaake captures the Schreierstoren; it is solid, but rendered with such soft color it's like a memory or a fleeting impression. You see this with Whistler, too, this gentle capturing of place. It is all about a feeling of place, rather than a photographic record.