Rivierlandschap met zeilbootje - Samuel Henri Mendes da Costa

A delicate graphite drawing by Samuel Henri Mendes da Costa, depicting a peaceful river scene with a small sailboat.

This graphite drawing by Samuel Henri Mendes da Costa captures a quiet moment on a Dutch waterway. The composition centres on a small sailboat navigating a calm river, framed by dense, loosely sketched foliage on both banks. The artist employs a delicate touch, using light, rhythmic pencil strokes to define the trees and the gentle ripples of the water. The sky occupies a significant portion of the frame, rendered with soft, horizontal shading that suggests an overcast day.

Mendes da Costa, a Dutch artist active during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, often turned to the natural environment for his subjects. This work reflects the tradition of Dutch topographical drawing, where the focus remains on the atmospheric quality of the scene rather than precise architectural detail. The artist uses varying pressure to create depth, allowing the foreground reeds and bushes to appear closer to the viewer while the distant trees fade into the hazy background.

The drawing is signed in the lower left corner, confirming its provenance as a finished study rather than a mere preparatory sketch. The lack of heavy contrast or deep shadows gives the piece a light, airy quality, characteristic of the artist's approach to rural scenery. By focusing on the interplay between the water and the surrounding vegetation, the artist creates a sense of stillness. This print preserves the subtle texture of the original graphite marks, offering a clear view of the artist's hand and his method of building form through light, layered strokes. It is a representative example of the quiet, observational style that defined much of his graphic output.