Groep mannen en vrouwen strijden met elkaar bij een waterput 1831 - 1877

Adolphe Alexandre Dillens created this print, depicting a group of men and women fighting at a well, using etching, a printmaking technique that dates back to the Middle Ages. The incised lines, created by acid biting into a metal plate, allowed Dillens to capture a dynamic scene with rich detail. This printmaking method would have allowed for multiples, making the artwork more accessible to a wider audience. This etching would have required a skilled artisan to prepare the plate, apply the acid, and carefully control the biting process to achieve the desired depth and tone. The subject matter, a chaotic scene of conflict at a water source, contrasts with the refined technique of etching. Water was a precious resource and a site of labor, particularly for women. The struggle depicted here reflects the competition for essential resources and the tensions of everyday life in a rapidly changing society. By examining the materials, making, and context of this print, we gain a deeper understanding of its cultural significance and the complex interplay between art, labor, and social dynamics in 19th-century Europe.