Landschap met huizen en molen aan het water 1867 - 1890

Philip Zilcken made this landscape with houses and a windmill by the water using etching techniques. Rather than using traditional drawing tools, the artist employs a metal plate coated with a waxy ground. The image is then scratched into this ground, exposing the metal, which is subsequently submerged in acid. This process bites away the exposed lines, creating grooves that hold ink. The magic happens when the plate is cleaned, inked, and pressed onto paper, transferring the image. Zilcken's landscape, with its subtle tonality and fine lines, depends on the artist’s control over the biting process, balancing the strength and duration of acid exposure. The texture and weight of the paper also play a crucial role, as the absorbent qualities of the paper allow for a depth of tone. This meticulous method highlights the inherent labor involved in printmaking, a process often overlooked. Etching invites us to consider the intersection of craft and fine art, and appreciate the nuanced collaboration between artist, material, and technique.