Vrouw en kind slepen een takkenbos voort c. 1766

This etching by Franz Edmund Weirotter shows a woman and child hauling a bundle of sticks, likely for firewood. The image is made through a process of impressing lines onto a metal plate, which is then inked and printed. This method allows for the creation of multiple copies, making art more accessible. The quality of the print depends on the artist's skill in creating the plate and the printer's expertise in inking and pressing. Here, the fine lines create a sense of depth and texture, particularly in the thatched roofs and the dense forest. Weirotter was known for his landscapes, often featuring scenes of rural life. In this work, the subject matter and the printmaking technique come together to offer a glimpse into the lives of ordinary people and the beauty of the natural world. The simplicity of the scene belies the labor involved, both in the depicted work and the artistic process.