Acht afgemeerde schepen op een strand 1929

Lodewijk Schelfhout made this etching of eight boats moored on a beach, printed on paper. The print has a very graphic approach, with close attention to lines. See how Schelfhout varies the marks in different areas, from the fine hatching in the sky to the coarser strokes defining the boats. What I love about this piece is how the artist uses the etching technique to create a sense of depth and atmosphere. Look at the textures, the way the light plays on the water, or how the cliffs seem to loom in the background. There's a lovely little boat in the foreground where you can see two figures, they seem to be looking out to sea, perhaps dreaming of their next voyage. The tonal range reminds me of Whistler's etchings, and his use of light and shadow to evoke a mood. Both Whistler and Schelfhout see art as a conversation across time, exploring and reinterpreting the ideas of those who came before them.