Zeilschepen bij de rede van Cuxhaven 1851 - 1902

Carel Nicolaas Storm van 's-Gravesande created this print of sailing ships near Cuxhaven using etching, a printmaking technique that has a long history. The artist would have coated a metal plate with a waxy, acid-resistant substance, then scratched an image into this coating. The plate was then exposed to acid, which bit into the metal where the coating had been removed, creating incised lines. Ink was then applied to the plate, filling these lines, and the surface was wiped clean. Finally, the plate was pressed onto paper, transferring the image. The resulting print captures a foggy scene with remarkable tonal range and detail. The etched lines create a sense of atmosphere and depth. But beyond the art of the image, consider the labor involved, the skill of the etcher, and the social context of maritime trade that made such scenes so central to 19th-century life. This reminds us that every artwork is also an artifact of human work, and cultural conditions.