Brik op hoge golven 1827 - 1884

This print, "Brik op hoge golven" or "Brig on high waves," was made by Johannes Cornelis van Pappelendam using lithography. Lithography is a printmaking technique that relies on the contrast between oily and water-based substances. The artist would draw an image on a flat stone or metal plate with a greasy crayon, then treat the surface so that ink only sticks to the drawing. This process creates detailed images, as you can see in the turbulent waves and the fine rigging of the ship. The final result is a depiction of the sheer power and unpredictability of nature. It would have taken considerable skill to create this evocative image, with the final print requiring multiple stages of preparation and printing to achieve the desired depth and tone. Consider the labor involved not only in the lithographic process itself, but also in the building, sailing, and maintenance of ships like this. In the end, Van Pappelendam reminds us of the complex relationship between human ambition and natural forces.