Rivierlandschap met een roeiboot 1614 - 1618

This is 'River Landscape with a Rowing Boat,' an etching made by Cornelis Claesz. van Wieringen in the early 17th century. The image has been created by incising lines into a metal plate, inking it, and then pressing it onto paper to transfer the design. The material quality of this print is defined by the linear precision of the etched lines, and the contrast between the dark ink and the white paper. The landscape is meticulously rendered, with careful attention to the texture of the water, foliage, and architecture. Yet it is a world distilled through labour. The artist had to learn the skilled process of etching, and the workforce that made the paper and ink possible. Considering the societal context, this work reflects the rise of landscape art in the Netherlands, tied to a growing sense of national identity and pride. Etchings like these were part of a burgeoning print culture that made art accessible to a wider audience beyond the elite. By examining the materials, processes, and social context of this etching, we can appreciate how it bridges the gap between craft and fine art.