Een potvis aangespoeld op het strand tussen Zandvoort en Wijk aan Zee, 20 februari 1762 1762

This is a pencil drawing by John Greenwood of a beached whale, dated February 20, 1762. The composition is dominated by horizontal lines, emphasizing the stillness of the scene. The whale lies as a massive, inert form, parallel to the sea and sky. Note how the artist uses subtle gradations of tone to model the whale’s body, contrasting it with the more detailed rendering of the human figures and objects in the foreground. This contrast directs our gaze, inviting us to contemplate the scale and presence of the natural world against human activity. The drawing functions as more than just a record; it is a meditation on the relationship between humanity and nature. The whale, as a sign, challenges our understanding of dominance and fragility within the environment. Greenwood’s formal choices subtly prompt us to reconsider these relationships.