Aangemeerde gondel met opbouw in een kanaal in Venetië c. 1914 - 1919

Willem Witsen made this etching, "Aangemeerde gondel met opbouw in een kanaal in Venetië," which translates to "Moored gondola with superstructure in a canal in Venice," using etching and paper. The linear quality of the etching technique is evident in the fine lines that define the Venetian canal scene. The artist employs a process involving acid to bite into a metal plate, creating an image that is then printed onto paper. This labor-intensive method allows for detailed rendering of the architecture and gondola, and it speaks to the historical traditions of printmaking as both a craft and a mode of artistic expression. The sepia tones evoke a sense of nostalgia. Printmaking was once a key technology in the development of mass media, and looking closely at the marks on the page, we can appreciate how the artist utilized this process. Ultimately, this etching invites us to reconsider the value and artistry inherent in craft-based techniques, challenging conventional hierarchies between fine art and skilled craftsmanship.