Lezende vrouw 1809 - 1859

Pieter de Goeje created this print of a reading woman sometime in the first half of the 19th century. It's made using etching, a printmaking technique where lines are incised into a metal plate with acid, then inked and pressed onto paper. Look closely, and you'll see the fine lines that describe the woman’s clothing, the texture of the book, and the soft light in the room. This matrix of hatching speaks to the skill and labor of the artist, meticulously building up the image line by line. Etching was a popular method for reproducing images and distributing them widely, connecting artistry to the burgeoning print industry. Consider the social context: the Industrial Revolution was transforming labor, and printmaking played a vital role in disseminating information and shaping public opinion. De Goeje's print offers us a glimpse into this world, where artistry and industry intertwined, challenging the divide between fine art and craft.