Zeelieden gezeten aan tafel luisterend naar een van hen c. 1879

This etching by Piet Verhaert depicts a scene of several sailors seated around a table, attentively listening to a speaker, likely relating their experiences at sea. Created in 1879, the work is a fine example of Verhaert’s skill in capturing the details of everyday life and the expressions of his subjects, giving a glimpse into the world of 19th-century seafaring. The work's intimate scale and composition emphasize the close-knit camaraderie among the sailors. "Zeelieden gezeten aan tafel luisterend naar een van hen" is an evocative depiction of working-class life and the power of storytelling.