To skibe, kølhalet til kalfatring 1651 - 1652

Curator: Immediately, the energy here is striking. Look at the dynamism conveyed just through line and tone. Editor: I’m pleased you notice that. This is "To skibe, kølhalet til kalfatring," an etching by Reinier Nooms, dating from 1651-1652. It resides here at the SMK, Statens Museum for Kunst. It depicts two ships, careened for caulking, a common scene from the period. Curator: Caulking indeed seems to be underway given that plume of smoke, yet beyond its documentation of a 17th-century drydock, the drama Nooms imbues makes it stand apart. The angular, listing ships, the chaotic lines evoking smoke—there's almost a sense of unease. Editor: The Dutch Golden Age was a powerhouse for maritime commerce, making scenes such as this commercially interesting, and these etchings easily reproduced for wider distribution. Prints such as these offer invaluable insight into the labor and commerce that fueled that era, don't you think? Curator: Absolutely, and it is tempting to view these images in terms of labor and commerce, but Nooms, who also went by Zeeman, was himself a sailor! Surely this accounts for the keen understanding and subtle portrayal of naval activity, far beyond commercial illustration? It’s a dance of form; observe the mirroring masts, almost theatrical against that smoky sky. Editor: You're right; it transcends simple documentation. There is an elegance. And if we interpret it as more than utilitarian record-keeping, what significance do you think this portrayal had to its contemporary audience? Curator: In this view, perhaps the work elevates a common sight into something worthy of attention, emphasizing the importance of the maritime industry and celebrating the laborers who make it possible. This etching humanizes a complex process while contributing to the collective memory of maritime dominance during that era. Editor: A potent summary! As you highlighted, there is a palpable rhythm. Considering those angled lines meeting near-vertical masts creates an arresting sense of scale and momentum despite its size. Curator: Indeed. It makes you wonder what Nooms might have captured had he modern technology at his disposal!