Riedijkshaven in Dordrecht 1880 - 1884

Carel Nicolaas Storm van 's-Gravesande created this print, 'Riedijkshaven in Dordrecht', using etching. The composition is dominated by a tonal harmony achieved through the use of line and texture. Notice the overall effect that is created by the network of dense marks balanced against sparser areas in the sky. The artist's structural approach becomes evident as we consider how the subject is systematically deconstructed into linear elements. The buildings, boats, and trees are all rendered through meticulous hatching and cross-hatching, almost reducing them to mere abstract forms. This technique destabilizes traditional representational values, pushing the print towards abstraction. The reflections in the water further dissolve the solidity of forms, adding another layer of semiotic complexity, challenging viewers to reconsider the relationship between representation and reality. In doing so, Storm van 's-Gravesande invites us to reflect on the very nature of seeing and interpreting the world around us.