Hoekhuis aan de Korte Prinsengracht 1870 - 1926

This is Willem Wenckebach's "Hoekhuis aan de Korte Prinsengracht," made with etching, a printmaking technique that has a long history. The process involves using acid to cut into a metal plate, which is then inked and printed, transferring the image onto paper. The fine, precise lines you see are characteristic of this method. Wenckebach would have had to carefully prepare the plate, apply a resist, and then etch the design, controlling the depth of the lines to create contrast and detail. Consider how the etching medium, with its capacity for detail, has influenced the artwork’s appearance, with a high level of detail in the architectural features of the building, down to the brickwork. This connects to traditions of craft and printmaking, showing not just the scene but also the artist’s process. Paying attention to the making and materials helps us understand the social context of this work, recognizing the time and skill involved in its production.