Al blijven wind en zee ons tegen, volharding brengt ons toch de zege 1934

This Delftware plate, made in 1934 by De Porceleijne Fles, speaks of the sea in confident blue strokes. I can see the artist layering the paint to build up the waves, maybe tilting the plate to let the pigment pool, embracing the fluidity. Look at the way they suggest movement with such simple brushstrokes. I imagine the artist thinking about persistence, "Al blijven wind en zee ons tegen, volharding brengt ons toch de zege" or "Though wind and sea oppose us, perseverance still brings us victory," a sentiment echoed in the determined little sailboat braving the choppy waters. It reminds me a bit of other maritime paintings, where the sea is a metaphor for life's challenges, but here, there's an added layer of folk wisdom. It’s a conversation, really, between the artist, the viewer, and all the other artists who have tried to capture the essence of the sea.