Gezicht te De Lemmer (?) 1760 - 1801

Jan Bulthuis created this drawing of ‘Gezicht te De Lemmer’ with pen in ink and grey wash. Bulthuis was working during the Enlightenment, a period emphasizing reason and individualism, which influenced art by promoting detailed, objective observations of the world. This serene waterside scene, animated by the detailed depiction of townspeople, tells a tale of Dutch maritime life and commerce. Note the figures scattered around the harbor, each engaged in their own activities. One reclines idly on a bench, while others seem to be hauling ropes. These subtle vignettes offer glimpses into the daily lives of ordinary people. Bulthuis’s work invites us to reflect on labor, leisure, and the interconnectedness of community life centered around the harbor. The artwork evokes a sense of nostalgia, a longing for a simpler time when life was intimately connected to the rhythms of the sea.