Drie mannen op een vissersboot 1797 - 1838

This pencil drawing of three men on a fishing boat was made by Johannes Christiaan Schotel, likely in the early 19th century. The artist's choice of pencil on paper allows for a light, almost ethereal depiction of the scene. You can see the marks of the graphite clearly, revealing the artist's hand in the creation of the work. While not a traditional "high art" material like oil paint, pencil offered Schotel immediacy and portability, perfect for capturing a scene like this one. Consider the social context: fishing was a vital industry, and such drawings may have served multiple purposes, from studies for larger paintings to records of daily life. The artist has imbued this image with social significance by focusing on the labor of fishing. Paying attention to the materials and the making process allows us to appreciate the cultural and historical dimensions of this seemingly simple drawing.