Landschap met links een boom 1831 - 1904

Arnoud Schaepkens created this landscape with a tree on the left using etching techniques. The image emerges from delicate lines incised into a metal plate, likely copper or zinc. The plate would have been covered with an acid-resistant ground, through which Schaepkens scratched his design, exposing the metal beneath. Immersing the plate in acid then bites away at these exposed lines, creating grooves that hold ink. The final print, as we see here, results from pressing the inked plate onto paper. The fineness of the lines speaks to the artist’s skill and control over the etching process. The printmaking process allows for the work to be reproduced many times, which democratizes art, making it more accessible and available to a wider audience. Though seemingly simple, the process requires skilled labor and equipment, reflecting the commodification of art during the Industrial Age. Considering the material and method encourages us to think about the social and economic context in which this seemingly straightforward landscape was made.