Drie trekpaarden in het water 1784 - 1848

Otto Baron Howen created this etching, "Drie trekpaarden in het water", using a metal plate, acid, and ink. It's a traditional process dating back centuries, relying on the skilled hand of the artist to create a design that's then chemically bitten into the metal. Look closely, and you'll see how the etched lines define the forms of the three horses, the driver with his whip, and the boat in the background. The stark contrast of black ink on paper gives the scene a dramatic quality, emphasizing the weight and muscularity of the horses as they wade through the water. But it also hints at social context: these aren't just horses; they’re working animals, essential for transport and trade in the 18th and 19th centuries. Howen's choice of etching, a relatively accessible printmaking technique, allowed for wider distribution of his work. It blurs the line between fine art and documentation, reminding us of the labor that underpinned society. By attending to both material and subject, we gain a richer understanding of this small, yet evocative print.