Antwerpen 1922

This print, ‘Antwerpen’, was made in 1922 by Henri Braakensiek. Look at the marks he makes here. They vary from confident dark lines to hesitant, scratchy textures. You can feel him trying to get the definition and shape of the boats just right! I imagine Braakensiek down at the docks, squinting in the harbor light, trying to capture the hulking forms of the ships. The closest one almost becomes a face, this looming, heavy boat with its anchor hanging like a mouth. The density of lines varies, creating a push and pull in space. There is the weight of the boats but then a lighter touch on the water and sky, suggesting distance. When you zoom out, the stark white of the page creates a frame. It's as if Braakensiek is sharing a glimpse of his own practice, showing us that even in something as seemingly straightforward as a maritime scene, there's room for experimentation and interpretation, a quiet moment of discovery between artist and world.