Zeilende schepen, Benares Possibly 1915 - 1919

Wijnand Otto Jan Nieuwenkamp created this etching, "Sailing Ships, Benares," likely in the early 20th century. The printmaking process, of etching, is crucial here. Nieuwenkamp would have used a sharp needle to draw into a waxy ground on a metal plate, then bathed the plate in acid. This etches the exposed lines, allowing them to hold ink. The plate is then wiped clean, leaving ink only in the etched lines, and pressed onto paper to create the image. Here, Nieuwenkamp uses this technique to create an intimate image of the trading city of Benares, its waters teeming with life, but the artist has also left the traces of labor visible. The cross-hatching on the sails, for instance, speaks to the repetitive work of the printmaker. The image also reminds us of the many hands that would have been involved in the sailing ships themselves. Understanding the artistry and labor of making allows us to fully appreciate this window into a bustling world.