Staande soldaat met zittende koffieverkoopster 1800 - 1841

This print was made by Joannes Bemme, and it depicts a soldier and a coffee seller. It is a line etching, a process that begins by covering a metal plate with a waxy ground. The artist then draws through the ground with a needle, exposing the metal. The plate is then immersed in acid, which bites into the exposed lines. Consider the labor involved. Copperplate etching requires careful preparation, precise drawing, and the skilled application of acid. In this print, the lines vary in weight, creating a sense of depth and shadow. Look at the soldier's uniform, the folds of the woman's dress, and the textures of the landscape. This level of detail demands significant time and expertise. Prints like this one were often made for mass consumption, yet they relied on highly skilled labor. This etching invites us to consider the relationship between craft, commerce, and the everyday lives of people living in the Netherlands at this time.