Visserspink te Katwijk 1885 - 1927

Gerhard Morgenstjerne Munthe made this watercolor, "Visserspink te Katwijk" sometime between the late 19th and early 20th century. The painting feels tentative, caught in a process of becoming. Look at the graphite lines sketching out the ship's form, the mast reaching skyward, and the hull solidifying from thin washes of colour. I can imagine Munthe standing on the shore, squinting in the sunlight, trying to capture the essence of this vessel. What did it feel like to see the fishing boat resting in the shallow water of the shore? The quick, thin strokes of watercolour suggest a passing moment, a fleeting impression. See how Munthe uses these strokes to build up the form of the boat, layering dark browns and greys to create depth. The red sail adds a punch of colour, a focal point that animates the whole scene. It's like he’s passing on a conversation he had with another artist, maybe even me, because we are all in conversation with each other across time!