Ruhige See, die Sonne geht auf, im Vordergrund steuert ein Boot mit mehreren Personen zwei Schiffen zu, rechts am Ufer die Laterne 

Leendert de Koningh rendered this serene seascape with watercolor on paper. The way that watercolor is applied—thinly and transparently—lets the whiteness of the paper shine through, creating a sense of luminosity and airiness. Notice the wispy, soft-edged clouds and the gentle gradations of color in the water. These are achieved through layering and blending of the pigments. Koningh masterfully captures the subtle nuances of light and atmosphere, typical of the Dutch Golden Age tradition. Yet beyond its aesthetic qualities, the work subtly hints at the socio-economic realities of the time. Maritime trade was crucial to the Dutch economy, so it is no surprise that imagery of ships appears as a prevailing theme, and this type of industry was built upon the labor of those who were on board. The artist acknowledges the subject of labor and the way of life tied to water, and the many individuals involved in the shipping trade. Ultimately, this work reminds us that even seemingly simple paintings can be rich with layers of meaning, intertwining artistic skill with broader social and historical contexts.