Aangemeerde boot bij een steiger 1797 - 1838

Johannes Christiaan Schotel made this drawing of a boat moored at a pier with graphite on paper in the early 19th century. The use of graphite, a relatively accessible material, allowed Schotel to capture the scene with remarkable detail. Notice how the varying pressure of the graphite creates a sense of depth and texture, from the solid mass of the hull to the intricate rigging. It's easy to see the hand of the artist at work here, building up the image stroke by stroke. Schotel was a well-known marine painter, and his access to ships and harbors would have given him firsthand knowledge of shipbuilding, and the labor-intensive process of constructing and maintaining such vessels. In its time, this drawing probably wouldn't have been considered high art, yet it testifies to the value of craft and the way that everyday materials can be used to document the world around us. It reminds us to look closely, and see the skill and labor embedded in all forms of making.