Compositie (Boten in een haven) 1916

Jacoba van Heemskerck made this dynamic woodcut, ‘Composition (Boats in a Harbor)’, in the early 20th century. Born in the Netherlands, van Heemskerck was a leading figure in the development of modern art. She navigated a male-dominated art world, finding her voice in the expressionist movement. Her position as a woman artist undoubtedly shaped her sensitivity to form, and her exploration of emotional depth through abstraction. Here, the sharp angular forms create a sense of tension and energy. The boats, reduced to geometric shapes, evoke both a sense of place and a feeling of alienation. The high contrast amplifies the emotional impact, mirroring the cultural shifts and anxieties of the period. Van Heemskerck's modern aesthetic offered a fresh perspective on traditional subjects. The woodcut captures a fleeting moment, reflecting a world in constant flux.