Landevej, i baggrunden Dordrecht 1618 - 1686

Gillis Neyts made this print, Landevej, i baggrunden Dordrecht, using etching, sometime in the 17th century. The image is made through an indirect process. First the artist coats a metal plate with a waxy, acid-resistant substance, then scratches an image into this coating, exposing the metal beneath. Finally, the plate is immersed in acid, which bites into the exposed lines, creating grooves that will hold ink. The resulting print has a distinctive character. Notice the intricate network of fine lines that define the leaves of the tree and the texture of the landscape. The quality of the line is determined by the artist's touch, but also by the unpredictable action of the acid, lending the image a lively, organic quality. Etching was relatively new at this time, and was a more democratic technology than engraving, allowing for a greater freedom of expression. Neyts harnessed these qualities to give us this intimate glimpse of the Dutch countryside. By understanding the material process behind it, we appreciate the artistry involved, moving beyond traditional boundaries of fine art and craft.