Ship heading for the North Sea off Maasvlakte by Sander Poppe

On a quiet summer’s evening, I stood at the edge of the Maasvlakte, looking out over the North Sea. Between two stretches of coastline, an opening to the open sea appeared on the horizon. Right there, a ship was slowly sailing out of the shelter of the harbour and setting course towards the horizon.

In the foreground lie large rocks and a narrow strip of sand upon which small waves gently break. The water forms the largest part of this coastal landscape and enhances the sense of space. Above the sea hung an almost continuous blanket of clouds, coloured by the last light of evening. Shades of pink, purple and blue slowly blended into one another whilst the sun had already disappeared from view.

What appealed to me was the contrast between stillness and movement. The sea looked calm, the ship sailed steadily on, and the light changed from minute to minute. It was precisely that simplicity that made the image so powerful.

This seascape brings a sense of space and freedom to a living room, office, meeting room or reception area. Whether on Aluminium Dibond or as a photo print, the subtle colours of the sky and sea are beautifully brought to the fore. Available in various sizes.