Boeg van een turfschip in de Oude Schans c. 1903 - 1904

Editor: Here we have Willem Witsen's "Bow of a Turf Ship in the Oude Schans," an ink drawing on paper from around 1903. It's fascinating how minimal the lines are, yet they suggest so much. It feels like a quick, almost secretive sketch. What catches your eye in this piece? Curator: It’s the subject itself that interests me most. Witsen’s choice to depict a turf ship connects to the economic landscape of the Netherlands at the turn of the century. Turf, or peat, was a crucial fuel source, and these ships were vital to its distribution. So, we're seeing a glimpse into the working-class infrastructure of the time, not just a picturesque scene. Does that influence how you perceive the sketch-like quality? Editor: It does. Knowing it’s connected to a vital industry changes things. The sketchiness makes it feel like he’s capturing a fleeting moment of a working world. But, wouldn't more formal depictions of ships at the time have been intended to project the country’s power and trade? Curator: Precisely! By focusing on the more utilitarian turf barge rather than a grand merchant vessel, Witsen shifts the focus to the everyday worker and the infrastructure supporting the larger economy. Consider who would have commissioned or bought a drawing like this compared to a maritime painting of a flagship. It speaks to a changing audience and a burgeoning interest in depicting the reality of modern life. Editor: So the choice of subject is almost a political statement in itself? Curator: In a way, yes. It’s a quiet statement, not a loud declaration. By depicting a working vessel in an intimate style, Witsen elevates the common, contributing to a broader shift in artistic representation that acknowledges the societal importance of these laborers. It makes us rethink whose stories get told and how. Editor: I see it now! It is not just an unassuming sketch but something more profound when viewed through that historical lens. Thanks, that gives me a lot to consider.