Boerderij tussen hoge bomen, Ewijkshoeve 1886

Jan Veth made this etching of a farm between tall trees, titled 'Boerderij tussen hoge bomen, Ewijkshoeve' with the printing press. The magic of an etching lies in its indirectness. Veth would have started with a copper plate, applying a waxy ground, and then drawing through it with a sharp needle to expose the metal. Next, the plate would be submerged in acid, which bites into the exposed lines. This painstaking process allows for incredibly fine detail, as you can see in the bare branches of the trees. The act of printing itself—pressing the inked plate onto paper—is also crucial. The deep blacks and velvety grays are a direct result of the pressure applied, and the way the ink is absorbed into the paper fibers. In a time of increasing industrialisation, the choice of etching as a medium speaks volumes. It is a deliberate embrace of handcraft, a way of slowing down and capturing the quiet beauty of the Dutch landscape.