Driemasters op onrustig water 1791

Gerrit Groenewegen made this print of three-masted ships on rough water, using etching and possibly engraving. It's a traditional technique that allows for incredible detail. Notice how the lines create a sense of volume and texture, from the churning waves to the billowing sails. The image probably began with a prepared metal plate, likely copper, coated with a waxy ground. Groenewegen would have used a needle to scratch through this ground, exposing the metal. Immersing the plate in acid would then bite into the exposed lines, creating grooves that hold ink. The skillful manipulation of the etching process speaks to the labour and craft involved, especially when you think about the number of prints that could be made from a single plate, rapidly disseminating imagery connected to Dutch maritime power. This piece blurs the line between reproducible image and artwork, asking us to consider how value is assigned.