The Hill 1621 - 1675

Allart van Everdingen made this print, "The Hill," using etching, a printmaking technique that was gaining popularity in the 17th century. The image is achieved by coating a metal plate with wax, then drawing through the wax to expose the metal. The plate is then submerged in acid, which bites into the exposed lines, creating an image that can be inked and printed. The etched lines give the scene a distinctive texture, almost like a dense thicket of tiny strokes. Look closely, and you'll see how the varying depths and densities of the lines create a sense of depth and shadow, bringing the landscape to life. Etching allowed artists like van Everdingen to produce multiple copies of their work, making art more accessible to a wider audience and fueling a growing art market. The print’s very existence speaks to the changing social status of art, shifting from unique commissions to reproducible images for a broader public. It blurs the line between craft and art, inviting us to appreciate the technical skill and artistic vision that went into its creation.