Vloot op zee 1851 - 1924

Carel Nicolaas Storm van 's-Gravesande’s etching, 'Fleet at Sea,' presents us with a study in tonal contrast and linear rhythm. The composition is dominated by a series of sailboats receding into the distance. This creates a sense of depth within the frame, yet it also flattens the image, pushing it towards abstraction. The artist’s use of hatching and cross-hatching creates the illusion of form and shadow. This transforms the sails into almost sculptural masses. Note how the repetitive, horizontal lines depicting the water’s surface emphasize the flatness of the picture plane, contrasting with the three-dimensionality suggested by the boats. This interplay between depth and surface can be seen through a structuralist lens, revealing the underlying codes through which we perceive space and representation. The artist plays with these codes, challenging the viewer's perception and inviting a re-evaluation of the relationship between reality and its artistic depiction. This etching embodies the ongoing dialogue between formal elements and conceptual frameworks.