Bergachtig landschap met herder en vee op pad 1761 - 1784

This landscape with a shepherd and cattle was made by Johannes Janson using etching, a printmaking technique where a metal plate is coated with a waxy layer, and then the artist scratches an image into the wax. The plate is then bathed in acid, which bites into the exposed metal, creating lines. In this print, Janson captures a serene landscape with a shepherd guiding his livestock through a mountainous path. The etcher's skill is evident in the fine, detailed lines that define the trees, foliage, and distant mountains. The subtle tonal variations, achieved by varying the density and depth of the etched lines, create a sense of depth and atmosphere. Consider that, while we might think of etching as a "fine art" medium, it was also a key part of the industrial revolution, used to make printed ephemera. Janson’s Bergachtig landschap invites us to appreciate the rich interplay between technique, labor, and artistic vision.