Pater Vincktoren, Maastricht 1921

This is Frederik van der Harst's 1921 print of the Pater Vincktoren in Maastricht. The artist employed a traditional method of intaglio printmaking: most likely etching, judging by the fineness of the lines. The magic of printmaking is that it’s not just about the image, but about the way the plate is made and the material nature of ink on paper. The network of tiny etched lines, bitten into a metal plate by acid, creates a velvety texture. Ink is forced into these lines, and then the plate is pressed hard against the paper. Looking closely, you can see that the paper isn't just marked on the surface, but slightly embossed by the pressure. The Pater Vincktoren itself has a history embedded in its very stones. As you can see, it’s a solid, carefully constructed piece of architecture. This print is not just an image of a building, but a record of the artist's labor and the craft traditions of printmaking, layering significance onto the depiction of the medieval tower. The act of printing, like the act of building, involves time, skill, and care.