Op zee 1903 - 1919

Editor: So, here we have “Op zee” – “At Sea” – by Arie Willem Segboer, a print with watercolor from sometime between 1903 and 1919. What immediately grabs me is the almost whimsical depiction of these very different boats, tossed around at sea. There's a definite narrative being presented. What do you see here? Curator: It whispers tales, doesn't it? Tales of Dutch resilience and their enduring connection to the sea. These aren’t just boats; they are symbols. Each little vignette, a different aspect of life tied to the ocean. I imagine Segboer wasn't just depicting, he was reminiscing or perhaps commenting on progress – note the steam boat! It makes you wonder, what's been gained, and perhaps, what’s been lost. What emotions does this watercolor elicit in you? Editor: There's a definite sense of nostalgia. They feel…vulnerable, but still battling, ploughing through. The sea looks treacherous! Curator: Exactly! See how Segboer uses watercolour? Not to soften, but to add turbulence and raw power, as if to mirror the challenges of the time. Think of it also within a cultural context, as a kind of pre-cinema storyboard for a younger audience perhaps? The “kinderprenten” hints at accessibility for children and these are images likely familiar in their daily lives. Editor: A visual lesson! It makes the genre-painting theme resonate even more. I’m thinking about Dutch maritime history differently now, through these specific moments of boats on waves! Curator: It’s more than waves, isn’t it? It's a record – one of progress and reflection rendered so deftly by Segboer’s intuitive eye. Editor: Absolutely, I never expected such depth from what seemed like a quaint watercolor illustration! Thank you.