Kade in Dordrecht c. 1877

Carel Nicolaas Storm van 's-Gravesande made this print of Kade in Dordrecht. The artist used the etching process, one of the earliest forms of printmaking. It involves drawing an image with a needle on a metal plate covered with wax or varnish. The plate is then dipped in acid, which bites into the exposed lines, creating grooves. The plate is inked, and then wiped clean, leaving ink only in the etched lines. Finally, paper is pressed against the plate, transferring the image. Here we see a port in the Netherlands, with its docks and figures in the background, all rendered in shades of gray. This contrasts with the windmill in the distance, a reminder of the industrialization of the Dutch landscape. By emphasizing the labor-intensive printmaking, the artist elevates the status of craft and design.