Kalfatring af båd 1750 - 1795

Jeanne Francoise Ozanne created this print, "Kalfatring af bad," using etching techniques. Ozanne’s fine lines capture the scene of boat caulking, a process of sealing the seams of a wooden vessel to make it watertight. Notice the level of detail, from the smoke rising from the heated tar to the tools scattered around the beached boat. The choice of etching, a meticulous and time-intensive process, reflects the labor-intensive nature of shipbuilding itself. The print celebrates the skilled craftsmanship involved in maintaining these essential vessels. Caulking required specialized knowledge and physical work, highlighting the dependence on manual labor in 18th-century maritime industries. Ozanne's print reminds us that even seemingly utilitarian objects are the result of complex social and economic systems. By focusing on the process of making, she elevates the everyday to the level of art.