Scheepsmodel in de Grote Kerk, te Blokzijl 1870 - 1914

This print of a ship model in the Grote Kerk in Blokzijl was made by Willem Bastiaan Tholen using etching techniques. It's a detailed, monochrome image, demonstrating the artist's mastery of the medium, in service to a detailed depiction of an object. Consider how the ship was constructed in the first place. Scale models like this were often made by experienced shipwrights, using the same skills and materials as in full-size shipbuilding, demonstrating considerable labor and precision. Hanging model ships in churches was a Dutch tradition, meant to honor those who worked and sometimes died at sea. Tholen's print captures not only the physical details of the ship, but also its cultural significance, connecting the realms of craft, faith, and maritime history. It reminds us that even a small object can carry immense cultural weight, challenging the divide between fine art and the skilled trades.