Drie zeilboten bij een pier aan de kust 1862 - 1901

Jules Guiette made this etching of three sailboats by a pier sometime between 1862 and 1901. Etching is an intaglio printmaking process, using acid to cut into a metal plate, which holds the applied ink and forms the image. The fine, precise lines and tonal depth that can be achieved, gave etching a status as a serious art form. But its relative ease also made it attractive as a reproductive medium. Here, Guiette harnesses the quality of line to create an atmospheric harbor scene. Notice the dark, biting lines of the pier. The composition evokes a sense of maritime industry, though one that is rendered intimate by the artist's touch. Ultimately, though, this etching invites us to reflect on the value we assign to art based on its means of production. Is it craft, design, or fine art? Perhaps it's all three.