Roeiboten en een schip 1645 - 1710

Abraham Storck made this watercolor and ink drawing of boats and a beach scene. The artist has worked with a light palette, with thin washes, and a minimal approach to the definition of details. Despite its diminutive scale, the drawing shows a busy harbour, and evokes the importance of maritime trade in the Netherlands. Look closely, and you’ll see the artist has carefully depicted the rigging of the ships, the reflections in the water, and the figures on the shore. The drawing technique is well-suited to describing the scene; the wetness of the watercolor wash conveys the fluidity of the water, and the precision of the pen-and-ink defines the architecture of the boats. The composition and the artist's rendering of light and atmosphere, elevate this image of commercial exchange. The drawing serves as a reminder that every work of art involves a collaboration with its materials, tools, and processes.