Dolmen van Rondossec aan de kust bij Plouharnel 1851 - 1887

Carel Nicolaas Storm van 's-Gravesande made this etching titled 'Dolmen van Rondossec aan de kust bij Plouharnel'. The image shows a dolmen, a prehistoric structure made of large stones, standing on the coast of Plouharnel. The artist’s choice of etching as a medium is significant; it's a printmaking technique that allows for detailed linework, and a wide range of tonal effects to bring out the weight and texture of the megalith stones. Storm van 's-Gravesande was part of a generation of artists fascinated by the natural world, and the ancient monuments that dotted the European landscape. These dolmens, built by Neolithic people thousands of years ago, represent an extraordinary amount of collective labor, and engineering skill. While the artist's hand is evident in the composition and execution of the etching, the labor of the stone age builders is also present in the image. By appreciating the materials and processes involved, we gain a richer understanding of the artwork's cultural significance.