Zeilschepen op een woelige zee c. 1825 - 1875

Petrus Johannes Schotel made this drawing, Zeilschepen op een woelige zee, using graphite on paper. The tempestuous sea immediately captures the viewer’s attention, evoked by the artist’s energetic lines. Schotel masterfully uses line to create both form and movement. The choppy waves are represented with short, quick strokes, giving the impression of a turbulent surface. In contrast, the ships are depicted with longer, more stable lines, yet they lean precariously, emphasizing their struggle against the sea's force. The sky, rendered with soft, smudged graphite, looms ominously, adding to the overall sense of drama. The composition is equally dynamic. The ships are placed off-center, contributing to an unsettling effect. This imbalance mirrors the real-life precariousness of ships at sea, where stability is constantly threatened by the elements. The drawing is not merely a depiction of ships, but an exploration of the conflict between human endeavor and the indifferent, overwhelming power of nature.