Vissersboten aan het strand c. 1890 - 1893

Editor: Here we have Willem de Zwart’s etching, "Vissersboten aan het strand," or "Fishing Boats on the Beach," from around 1890. It's such a small, unassuming piece, but it's crammed with details; almost overwhelmingly so. The texture created by the etching makes the whole scene seem to shimmer. What stands out to you the most about this work? Curator: Shimmer is a perfect way to describe it! For me, it's that sense of transience captured in a fleeting moment. The realism in the etching portrays a moment in time with great historical information about Dutch fishing boats. Look how he's managed to convey so much with what seems like so little. Editor: Exactly! The limited color palette makes you really focus on the shapes and tones. You mention the transience: how do you mean? Curator: Well, the image could be of the early morning: everything is soft. What's so intriguing about this particular piece is the sheer ordinary-ness of the moment. These people are simply making their living. But Willem de Zwart immortalizes them. The fog of history, almost. What do you feel the use of etching brings to this image? Editor: It's interesting how it elevates the mundane to something… lasting. I hadn’t thought about the "fog of history," but I see what you mean! The etching gives a grainy texture which adds depth. Like you could reach out and touch the rough wood of the boats. It's so tactile! Curator: Precisely! And I think that is part of de Zwart's skill. He can pull us into the everyday lives of people over a century ago. A beautiful technique to immortalize the lives of everyday folk. Editor: That's a wonderful way to think about it; etching as a form of preservation. Thanks, I’ll keep an eye out for texture from now on!