Prins Hendrikkade 2009

Lau Heidendael made this watercolor painting, Prins Hendrikkade, using light washes to capture the hazy atmosphere of the scene. The whole thing feels provisional, like a first impression dashed down on paper. You can almost feel the artist squinting. Look closely, and you'll notice how Heidendael uses these thin washes to build up the forms of the boats and buildings. See how the gray and brown bleed into each other, creating soft edges and a sense of depth, a real visual push-pull. The lines are tentative and searching. The eye darts around the composition, trying to make sense of the interlocking shapes. This adds to a feeling of spaciousness, the quiet vastness of a busy harbor. Reminds me a bit of James McNeill Whistler’s misty nocturnes. Both artists share an interest in capturing fleeting moments and atmospheric effects. But where Whistler sought to create a sense of harmonious beauty, Heidendael seems more interested in the raw, unpolished reality of the scene. It’s a conversation, an ongoing experiment with the possibilities of paint.