The Canal, from Cahier de six eaux-fortes, vues de Hollande 1862

Johan Barthold Jongkind made this etching, *The Canal,* using metal, acid, and ink, from a series of Dutch landscapes. Notice the material economy of the printmaking process. Jongkind scratched lines into a metal plate, likely copper or zinc. He then submerged the plate in acid, which bit into the exposed lines, creating grooves. These grooves were then filled with ink, and the plate was pressed onto paper, transferring the image. This method allowed for the production of multiple nearly identical images, democratizing art ownership. Unlike unique paintings or sculptures, prints could be distributed more widely, making them accessible to a broader audience, tied to wider social issues of labor, politics, and consumption. The artist engaged with skilled traditions of etching, alongside that of fine arts. In understanding *The Canal*, it's essential to consider not just the image, but the means of its making and the context in which it was created. This challenges traditional distinctions between fine art and craft.