Strandgezicht met schelpenvissers en wandelaars 1610 - 1653

Simon de Vlieger created this beach scene with shell fishermen and walkers using graphite or black chalk and grey wash. De Vlieger deftly captures the shifting atmosphere of the coast. The drawing has a striking simplicity. The artist has expertly used his chosen materials to convey the mood and energy of the scene. The chalk lends a directness to the drawing, while the wash adds depth and atmosphere. The figures of the shell fishermen and walkers, though small, are carefully rendered, and the overall composition has a lively, almost documentary feel. In this work, de Vlieger is using a traditional medium, but using it in a way that reflects the increasingly mercantile culture of the Netherlands in the 17th century. Seascapes were popular. They not only represented the natural world, but also the industry and trade that were so important to the Dutch economy. This piece is of interest because it is so straightforward in its depiction of everyday people on the beach going about their work. De Vlieger’s drawing reminds us that even the most seemingly simple works of art are the product of skilled labor, and a specific cultural and economic context.