Boten bij een kade 1866 - 1922

Willem Cornelis Rip created this pencil drawing called 'Boats at a quay' sometime around the turn of the twentieth century. Rip belonged to the Hague School, a group of Dutch artists who emphasized realism and the everyday. But this isn't just a straightforward depiction of boats; it's an exploration of the Netherlands' relationship with water. Water was central to both the country’s economic prosperity and defense. The sketch’s rough strokes capture a sense of the raw, unpredictable nature of the sea. Looking closely, we see a windmill in the distance, a ubiquitous symbol of Dutch ingenuity in land reclamation. The boats themselves suggest a working waterfront, a hub of commerce and labor. Rip's choice to focus on this scene speaks to the rising importance of the working class in Dutch society. Understanding Rip’s art requires us to look at the historical context, from the nation’s economic engines to its artistic institutions.