Groep toeschouwers bij een draaimolen 1924

Willem de Zwart made this etching of a crowd at a carousel sometime in the late 19th or early 20th century. Etching is a printmaking technique that uses acid to create lines in a metal plate, which is then inked and printed onto paper. In this case, the artist has used the etching needle with a light touch, creating a sketchy, atmospheric effect. The image appears to be a fleeting glimpse of modern leisure, with ordinary people enjoying a fairground attraction. It’s worth remembering that while many consider printmaking a fine art today, it has long been associated with more commercial forms of production. From newspapers to packaging, printed images pervade our daily lives. This etching captures a moment of popular entertainment, while also reminding us of the close relationship between art and industry, and the labor involved in both.