Artwork
Seascape from the Zeeland Waters, near the Island of Schouwen

Seascape from the Zeeland Waters, near the Island of Schouwen is an oil painting by Petrus Johannes Schotel. It dates from 1825 and is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum.
About this work
Overview
Petrus Johannes Schotel’s 1825 oil on canvas, Seascape from the Zeeland Waters, near the Island of Schouwen, presents a turbulent maritime scene. The composition is held in the Rijksmuseum’s collection and exemplifies the Dutch marine tradition of the early nineteenth century, focusing on the interaction of vessels with a restless sea and an overcast sky.
Subject & Meaning
The painting shows three ships navigating choppy waters beneath a dense, gray sky. A larger vessel occupies the centre, its partially filled sails catching the wind, while two smaller boats near the shore lean against the swell. The work conveys the precarious balance between human endeavor and the forces of nature, a common theme in Dutch seascapes.
Technique & Style
Schotel employs a vigorous impasto technique, applying thick layers of paint to render the frothy waves and the weight of the clouds. Light is depicted striking the water’s surface, creating a sense of movement and translucency. The brushwork varies from broad, textured strokes in the sea to finer detailing on the rigging, highlighting the artist’s skill in rendering atmospheric conditions.
History & Provenance
Created in 1825, the canvas entered the Rijksmuseum’s holdings as part of its extensive marine collection. The work reflects Schotel’s reputation as a specialist in nautical subjects, and its acquisition has contributed to the museum’s representation of early nineteenth‑century Dutch seascape painting.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Petrus Johannes Schotel (1808–1865) was an artist, born in Dordrecht.













