Gezicht op de noordkant van Londen 1665

Wenceslaus Hollar made this etching, "View of the North Side of London," in 1658. The etching process begins with a metal plate, usually copper or zinc. The plate is coated with a waxy, acid-resistant substance called the ground, and the artist then draws an image into the ground with a sharp needle, exposing the metal. Next, the plate is immersed in acid, which bites into the exposed lines, creating grooves. The longer the plate stays in the acid, the deeper the lines become. Once the etching is complete, ink is applied to the plate, filling the etched lines. The surface is wiped clean, and the plate is pressed against a sheet of paper. The pressure forces the paper into the inked grooves, transferring the image. Hollar's skilled use of line, tone, and composition offers a fascinating glimpse into London's past and this print demonstrates the power of skilled labor in artistic creation.