Noorden 1890

Floris Verster created this etching called ‘Noorden’ using a metal plate and acid. The artist would have covered the plate with a waxy, acid-resistant substance, then scratched an image into the wax. When immersed in acid, the exposed metal would be eaten away, leaving an impression that could then be inked and printed. You can see this process at work here. The marks are crisp and clear, each line the result of a deliberate action. But the overall effect is blurry, almost hazy. The silvery tonality gives the work a subdued, dreamlike quality, like a memory fading with time. The etching process requires skill and precision, combining technical expertise with artistic vision. It blurs the boundaries between fine art and craft, inviting us to consider the labor and skill involved in bringing an image to life. The understated beauty of this etching lies not only in its aesthetic appeal, but also in its quiet testament to the art of making.