Zee met hoge golven c. 1909

Carel Nicolaas Storm van 's-Gravesande made this etching, *Zee met hoge golven,* which translates to *Sea with High Waves*, using a plate and some kind of etching needle. What I love about this image is how the linear marks create atmosphere. A storm is coming, you can feel it. Look how he layers the marks to give the impression of dark, heavy clouds. The lines get thicker in the waves closest to us and thinner towards the horizon. It’s a masterful use of the etching process to create a sense of depth and drama. The texture is rough and immediate. The lines are exposed; it's clear how he made it. It reminds me of some of Whistler’s nocturnes but also evokes the dramatic seascapes of someone like Courbet, but pared back to it’s bare bones. I love how art can be an ongoing conversation across time, reinterpreting and reimagining familiar themes. Ultimately, this piece reminds us that art isn't about fixed meanings but about embracing ambiguity.