Rotsachtige kust 1830 - 1899

Alexander Schaepkens created this print, Rotsachtige kust, using etching, a printmaking technique with a rich history. The image starts with a metal plate, likely copper or zinc, coated with a waxy, acid-resistant substance. Schaepkens would have carefully drawn into this coating with a sharp needle, exposing the metal beneath. The plate is then submerged in acid, which bites into the exposed lines, creating grooves. Ink is applied to the plate, filling these grooves, and the surface is wiped clean. Finally, the plate is pressed onto paper, transferring the ink and creating the image we see. The fine lines and detailed textures of the rocky coast demonstrate Schaepkens' mastery of the etching process. Printmaking, especially in the 19th century, made art more accessible to a wider audience, moving away from unique, expensive paintings. It allowed for the reproduction and distribution of images, contributing to a growing visual culture and reflecting changing modes of production and consumption.