Overstroomd landschap tussen Oss en Lith 1855

Cornelis Springer made this print, "Overstroomd landschap tussen Oss en Lith" using etching, a printmaking technique that relies on acid to create lines in a metal plate. Springer would have coated a copper plate with a waxy, acid-resistant substance, then drawn his image into the wax, exposing the metal. Immersing the plate in acid would bite away the exposed lines, which are then inked and printed. The fine, precise lines of etching are perfect for capturing the flooded landscape, full of detail. You can see the social impact of such a devastating natural event, the workers trying to go about their daily life, the cattle wading in water, and the figures in boats attempting to navigate the scene. By understanding the labor-intensive etching process, we appreciate Springer's skill in translating the scene onto the plate, capturing a moment of hardship and resilience. This print blurs the lines between fine art and craft, emphasizing the skill involved in both the making and the viewing.