Vrouw met kruik bij waterpomp 1842 - 1896

Kornelis Jzn de Wijs created this small etching, Vrouw met kruik bij waterpomp, using fine lines incised into a metal plate. The image shows a woman drawing water from a pump. But consider the labor involved, both hers and the artist’s. Think about the repetitive actions required to create an etching; the delicate, controlled hand movements needed to build up tone and detail. The crosshatching gives depth and shadow, defining the form of the woman and the rough texture of the stone wall. It's easy to miss how much work this entails. The artist’s skill transforms an everyday scene into a carefully wrought image. This work asks us to consider the value and meaning found in both labor and artistic practice. It bridges the gap between fine art and craft, inviting us to appreciate the artistry inherent in the making.