Stadhuis van Middelburg 1851 - 1871

This print of the Stadhuis van Middelburg was made by Adrianus Jacobus Terwen using a technique called etching. It’s a process involving acid, metal, and a lot of skill. The image is built up through lines bitten into a metal plate. The artist would have covered the plate with a waxy, protective layer, then scratched away lines to expose the metal. Dipping the plate in acid etches these lines, allowing them to hold ink. The deeper the bite, the darker the line when printed. Look closely, and you can see the incredible detail, from the intricate stonework to the figures in the square. Etching, like engraving, was a labor-intensive process, demanding precision and control. The final print speaks to the skill of the artist in manipulating these materials, to capture the architecture and civic life in Middelburg. It really makes you appreciate the work and the time that went into creating this image, doesn’t it?