Heuvellandschap met twee bomen op rots 1815 - 1867

This is a landscape with two trees on a rock, made by Willem Matthias Jan van Dielen, using etching. This printmaking technique involves drawing an image with a needle on a metal plate covered with wax. The plate is then bathed in acid, which bites away the exposed lines. The deeper the lines, the more ink they hold, and the darker they appear in the final print. Notice the way the etched lines vary in thickness and density. Van Dielen uses this process to create a wide range of tones and textures, from the delicate foliage of the trees to the rough surface of the rocks. The etching technique allowed the artist to create multiple copies of his image, making it more accessible to a wider audience. It’s worth considering how the industrial processes involved in printmaking relate to wider social issues of labor, politics, and consumption. Van Dielen's landscape reminds us to appreciate the skill and artistry involved in this print, seeing it as both fine art and craft.