Landschappen met vissers en visnetten 1758

Cornelius Heinrich Hemerich made this print of landscapes with fishermen and fishnets, using etching. The artist scratched lines into a metal plate, which was then submerged in acid, biting away the exposed areas. This process allowed for intricate detail, as seen in the delicate rendering of the fishermen's nets, and the feathery foliage of the trees. Look closely, and you'll notice the textures that define the scene, from the rough-hewn stone of the bridge to the shimmering surface of the water. Etching has a fascinating social history, emerging as a relatively accessible method of printmaking, compared to the more laborious technique of engraving. It allowed artists to create multiple impressions of their work, making art more widely available, and in the 18th century fueled a growing market for prints among the middle classes. It also facilitated the spread of ideas and aesthetics. By considering the materials and processes, we gain insight into not only the artwork itself, but also the broader cultural landscape in which it was created.