Vissersvrouw bij een wieg 1826 - 1886

Dirk Jurriaan Sluyter created this print, "Vissersvrouw bij een wieg," using engraving, a meticulous intaglio process. A design is incised into a metal plate, here copper, with a tool called a burin; ink is then applied, and the surface wiped clean, leaving ink only in the engraved lines. Finally, paper is pressed against the plate, transferring the image. Look closely and you'll see how the crisp, deliberate lines delineate the scene. The precision of the engraving captures the texture of the fisherwoman’s dress and the interior's humble furnishings. Engraving, unlike other printmaking techniques, demands immense skill and patience. The engraver must have complete control over the burin to achieve the desired effect. The labor-intensive nature of the process speaks to the dedication of the artist, but also to the cultural value placed on detailed, representational imagery during the period, before the advent of photography. Considering this print through the lens of making and materiality enriches our understanding, moving beyond subject matter to appreciate the artistry and labor embedded in the work itself.