Schepen op de vaart bij Papendrecht 1876 - 1910

Alphonse Stengelin created this tranquil river scene, "Schepen op de vaart bij Papendrecht" using delicate pencil strokes on paper. The composition invites a contemplative gaze, with the water's surface reflecting a soft, diffused light that permeates the entire scene. The artist uses a horizon line placed rather high in the composition. This shifts the visual emphasis towards the foreground elements such as the boats and foliage. It subtly subverts the traditional landscape. Rather than grand vistas, Stengelin directs our attention to the textures and forms of everyday life along the waterway. His use of line in rendering the reflections in the water suggests a concern with surface and the materiality of the drawing itself. The sketch-like quality implies a process of continuous observation and revision, capturing the fleeting qualities of light and atmosphere. Ultimately, Stengelin uses a seemingly simple scene to explore the complex interplay between representation and abstraction, surface and depth.