Winterse havenkade 1885 - 1931

Frederika Henriëtte Broeksmit made this etching of a winter harbor scene sometime in the early 20th century; it’s all about the power of line. Look how she uses these tiny, deliberate marks to build up the image, almost like she's knitting the scene together. What I find so compelling here is the way Broeksmit uses the etching process itself to evoke the cold, the stillness, and the quiet of a winter’s day. There's a beautiful balance between what's included and what's left out, like the air itself is part of the composition. Check out the horse, the way its form is suggested with minimal lines, yet you feel its weight, its breath in the cold air. This reminds me a little of Whistler, who was so good at suggesting atmosphere, of finding the sublime in everyday scenes. Ultimately, this piece feels so contemporary. It’s a reminder that art is always talking to itself, across time, across generations.