Wolfenbrug in Utrecht 1809 - 1843

Cornelis van Hardenbergh created this print of Wolfenbrug in Utrecht using graphite and possibly ink. The artist employed fine lines and careful shading. Hardenbergh would have needed to transfer an image to a plate, and then use careful hand-eye coordination to render the depicted architectural scene on the copper plate. Note the amount of labor involved in the production process. It's important to remember that this piece would have been made in multiples, and not unique in the way we often think of 'art'. Consider how the image is tied to wider social issues of labor, politics, and consumption, and the sheer number of impressions required. Paying attention to the labor involved in the work enriches our understanding of its cultural significance, challenging distinctions between art and craft.