Dorp aan een waterkant 1907

Alexander Shilling rendered this village on the waterfront with pencil on paper. Shilling, born in Russia, eventually gained recognition as a landscape painter in England, capturing the quiet, intimate scenes of rural life. There’s a notable lack of human activity here, apart from the lone figure in the boat. The drawing captures a sense of solitude and perhaps even a feeling of detachment. The artist's position as an outsider, both geographically and culturally, may have influenced this perspective. His landscapes often evoke a sense of yearning for a simpler, more pastoral existence. As we consider this artwork, let's think about how Shilling's personal experience as an immigrant might have informed his artistic choices. And how the very act of depicting a 'distant' village speaks to themes of belonging, longing, and cultural identity.