Loeiende koe aan waterkant 1806

Frédéric Théodore Faber made this etching of a 'Lowing Cow on the Waterfront', sometime in the early 19th century. Etching is an intaglio printmaking technique – a process that allows for the creation of detailed and textured images. The image is achieved by drawing into a waxy ground laid on a metal plate, then immersing the plate in acid, which bites into the exposed lines. The plate is then inked, and the surface wiped clean, leaving ink only in the etched grooves. Finally, the plate is pressed onto paper, transferring the image. Look closely and you’ll see the characteristic crisp lines and tonal gradations achieved by the artist’s control of acid and pressure. The materiality of etching – the tooth of the paper, the sharp lines of the etching – contributes to the work's overall effect. Beyond its aesthetic qualities, the etching process speaks to the democratization of art production. The relative ease and reproducibility of the process made art more accessible during an era of industrial change, reflecting the broader shifts in labor and consumption. This print invites us to consider the relationship between artistic technique, wider social change, and the representation of the rural landscape.