Havengezicht in Rotterdam 1930

Editor: So, this etching is "Havengezicht in Rotterdam," or "Harbour View in Rotterdam," created around 1930 by Johan Hendrik van Mastenbroek. The textures are incredible. I feel like I can almost smell the salty air and hear the clanging of metal! What details grab your attention the most? Curator: Oh, that smell, yes! For me, it's all about the layering. The artist doesn’t shy away from portraying an industrious harbor. See how he's used the etching to really emphasize the atmospheric grime that's part of the urban fabric, contrasting it with the tranquility of water, and the sharp lines of the ships. Almost romantic, in a gritty kind of way. What feeling do you get? Editor: Gritty romanticism, I like that! I'm curious about the cityscape. Do you think the choice of Rotterdam says something specific? Curator: Absolutely! Rotterdam was, even then, a major port, a hub of global activity, a center for modernity...it almost feels like Mastenbroek is celebrating this through industry. Do you get any impression on that reading? Editor: I definitely see the industrial celebration now. The reflections in the water almost make the industry seem weightless, part of the water itself. Curator: Exactly. It's this duality, this poetic dance, that makes it captivating! It's something one might overlook if fixated on the "grey", for instance. Editor: I see what you mean; I definitely appreciate this in a new way. The print felt very industrial initially, but seeing the romantic view enriches its complexity. Thanks! Curator: My pleasure! Perhaps an afternoon stroll is in order… along a busy canal?