Zeehaven bij avond before 1899

Carel Nicolaas Storm van 's-Gravesande created this artwork, "Zeehaven bij avond," using etching. The monochromatic palette emphasizes the tonal variations and textures of the scene. The composition is divided horizontally, the lower portion dominated by the dark expanse of water and the upper area filled with the sky, heavy with clouds. The interplay between light and shadow defines the structures of the port. 's-Gravesande masterfully employs hatching and cross-hatching techniques to build depth, giving the scene an atmospheric quality. The formal arrangement of elements – the lighthouse on the left, the ships towards the right – creates a visual rhythm, leading the viewer's eye across the artwork. This etching reflects an interest in capturing fleeting moments, a characteristic of late 19th-century art. The artist transforms an industrial scene into a study of light and form, highlighting the aesthetic possibilities within the everyday. The structural integrity of the print lies in its ability to balance realism with a poetic interpretation of the harbor at night.