Tower by the Sea c. 18th century

Editor: This etching, "Tower by the Sea" by Christian Wilhelm Ernst Dietrich, depicts a bustling coastal scene. The lines seem to emphasize the roughness of the tower's construction and the everyday labor happening around it. What can you tell me about the materials and making of this piece? Curator: The etching process itself is crucial. Note how Dietrich's lines, etched into a metal plate, create texture suggesting stone, wood, and fabric. Consider the social context: how the printmaking process enabled wider distribution and consumption of art beyond the elite. Editor: That’s fascinating, I didn’t think about how the printmaking relates to its audience. Curator: Exactly! The choice of etching also democratizes art through its relative ease and affordability. Editor: I see what you mean, thanks for making me think of art this way. Curator: My pleasure! Thinking about art in this way really changes how we understand its value.