Sleepboot met twee schuiten c. 1890

Willem Witsen created this etching of a tugboat with two barges, its dimensions are 110 by 123 mm. At first glance, the composition appears dominated by the somber tones achieved through the medium. Look at how Witsen balances the arrangement. He uses the verticality of the tugboat's chimney to offset the horizontal spread of the barges, creating a visually stable yet dynamic scene. The etching technique, with its fine lines and subtle gradations, adds depth and texture, animating the surface. This close attention to materiality invites us to consider the relationship between the artwork's subject and its construction. Witsen's choice of subject also situates this work within a broader dialogue about industrialization. The placement of boats suggests the complexity of modern life and how they navigate a rapidly changing world. This etching invites ongoing examination and discourse.