Aangemeerde zeilboten aan een kade 1797 - 1838

Johannes Christiaan Schotel made this drawing of sailboats at a quay, using graphite and ink on paper. The thinness of the lines speaks to the directness of the artistic process, almost as if he sketched what was in front of him. The material of choice, paper, allows us to see how his hand quickly moved to record the ships' lines and the scene around them. This drawing wasn't just about making a pretty picture. It was about understanding the structure of these boats, their forms, and how they sat in the water. The nature of drawing allowed Schotel to capture the everyday life of the harbor. This artwork serves as a reminder of the importance of considering how the material, making, and context of an artwork contribute to its deeper meanings.