Afgemeerde schepen in de haven van Concarneau 1888 - 1934

Curator: Before us we have Willem Adrianus Grondhout's "Afgemeerde schepen in de haven van Concarneau," dating from around 1888 to 1934. It’s a woodcut and drawing print currently held here at the Rijksmuseum. What are your first impressions? Editor: Stark. The black and white is so striking, almost…severe. The contrast really highlights the quiet, still water, but those sharp, dark lines reflecting the boats also hint at something a little unsettling just below the surface. Curator: That visual tension makes it compelling. The socio-political climate surrounding harbour cities during this time was tumultuous due to urbanization. This print encapsulates the changing identity of such places as both industrial centres and quaint landscapes. Editor: I'm curious about Grondhout's decision to portray Concarneau. Fishing villages, especially those in Brittany, were romanticized yet simultaneously exploited for resources. Is there any critique here or is it pure aesthetic appreciation? Curator: The very nature of depicting the harbour and fishing vessels within this particular aesthetic movement points to a focus on the lives of the everyday worker. Editor: Absolutely. There's a focus on the dignity of labour that artists often try to uplift. You can almost smell the salty air and imagine the arduous work that goes on there. Curator: Precisely. The stylistic rendering of the water's reflections as stylized lines offers an intimate, somewhat nostalgic reflection. Editor: It definitely softens the edges. The woodcut itself has a raw quality, yet those flowing reflections add a layer of sensitivity. It is this complexity and combination of techniques that can speak to those multiple narratives about identity, labour, and history that are held here in the work. Curator: Agreed. Considering how such prints were disseminated during that period, "Afgemeerde schepen in de haven van Concarneau" is able to bring questions regarding societal narratives and their depictions for our further observation. Editor: These sorts of artistic endeavors can bring multiple perspectives to a topic of conversation.