The Two Beams Floating in the Water 1621 - 1675

Allart van Everdingen created this print, "The Two Beams Floating in the Water," using etching. This intaglio printmaking technique involves using acid to cut into a metal plate, which then holds ink to make the print. Everdingen was particularly interested in Scandinavian landscapes and the lumber industry, and this print reflects that. Notice the rough-hewn quality of the building and the raw logs scattered around. The beams floating in the water are not just part of the scenery; they speak to the labor and resource extraction central to the Dutch economy at the time. The artist’s skilled draftsmanship captures the textures of wood, water, and foliage through a network of fine lines. The very act of etching, with its reliance on precise, repetitive marks, mirrors the methodical work of lumberjacks and the relentless demands of commerce. By focusing on these materials, processes, and their social context, we gain a richer understanding of the image, challenging any divide between fine art and the realities of everyday life.