Herder met kudde in een storm 1841 - 1857

Johan Daniël Koelman created this artwork of a herder and his flock using etching and possibly other techniques. The appearance of this print is rooted in the labor-intensive processes of etching, where lines are incised into a metal plate, and aquatint where tonal areas are created using acid. The stark contrasts and textural richness are achieved through carefully controlled biting of the plate. The printmaking method is very much tied to social issues of labor, as it is a process involving specialized skill, time, and physical effort. The artist is not only depicting the labor of the herder, but also engaging in his own form of production, highlighting the work involved in the creative process. In that sense, this print challenges distinctions between fine art and craft.