Roeiboot voor anker aan de kade van de haven van Messina

About this artwork

verzamelaarsmerk, verso linksonder, gestempeld: Lugt 2166

Art Historical Context

Abraham Casembroot's etching *Roeiboot voor anker aan de kade de haven van Messina*Rowboat Anchored at the Quay of the Port of Messina), created between 1603 and 1658, captures a tranquil maritime moment in one of Europe's bustling Mediterranean harbors. Casembroot, a Flemish of the Dutch Golden Age, specialized in seascapes and views, reflecting the era's fascination with trade, navigation, and the sea's power. Messina, Sicily's strategic port, was a vital hub for shipping routes connecting Europe and the Levant, evoking the vibrant commerce of the 17th century. Rendered in etching—a precise intaglio technique where acid bites into a metal plate to create fine, expressive lines—this modest work (122 × 181 mm) showcases Casembroot's skill in depicting water's shimmer, boat rigging, and quayside architecture with delicate hatching and cross-hatching. Etchings like this were prized for their reproducibility, allowing collectors to own affordable glimpses of distant ports amid the rise of printmaking in the Low Countries. On the verso, lower left, bears a collector's mark (Lugt 2166), testifying to its esteemed provenance among connoisseurs. This small gem invites visitors to ponder the interconnected world of early modern Europe, where a simple rowboat symbolizes everyday maritime life.