Landschap met korenoogst 1783

This is ‘Landscape with Grain Harvest,’ an etching made by Johannes Janson in the 18th century. The printmaking process is crucial to understanding this image. Janson would have coated a metal plate with wax, then drawn this composition with a sharp needle, exposing the metal. Immersing the plate in acid would then bite the lines into the surface, allowing for multiple impressions to be pulled. Note the relatively light touch. Janson isn't trying to create a dramatic contrast of light and shadow, but rather a delicate scene of rural life. The figures take a rest, and the whole image suggests the rhythm of agricultural labor. Consider, though, that this print would have been purchased and enjoyed by someone of means – a far cry from the experience of the field workers it depicts. Ultimately, ‘Landscape with Grain Harvest’ prompts us to consider the relationship between labor, representation, and consumption. It shows how a simple medium like etching can carry complex social meanings.