Campveerse Toren in Veere 1889 - 1902

Carel Nicolaas Storm van 's-Gravesande created this etching titled "Campveerse Toren in Veere." Made by an artist associated with the Hague School, this delicate image reflects the period's broader interest in landscape and the everyday. Situated in a small town with a rich maritime history, the tower stands as a silent witness to the ebb and flow of time, much like the lives of the working class tied to the sea. There’s a quiet, melancholic beauty in the artist's focus on the weathered stones and calm waters. The muted tones evoke a sense of nostalgia, perhaps mirroring the artist's longing for a simpler, more authentic existence away from the rapid industrialization of the late 19th century. "The artist must train not only his eye but also his soul, so that he sees in nature not only the obvious but also that which is hidden," said van 's-Gravesande. In its serene depiction, the print invites us to contemplate our connection to place, history, and the passage of time.