Kleine Looiersstraat te Maastricht 1830 - 1899

Alexander Schaepkens made this etching of Kleine Looiersstraat in Maastricht, using a metal plate and acid. The process begins with coating a metal plate with a waxy, acid-resistant substance called the ground. Schaepkens then scratched his design into this ground, exposing the metal beneath. When dipped in acid, the exposed lines are eaten away, creating grooves. Ink is then applied to the plate, filling the grooves, and the surface is wiped clean. Finally, the plate is pressed onto paper, transferring the ink and image. This print, marked '1er etat', reveals the linear precision achievable through etching, capturing the architectural detail of Maastricht's streets. The density of lines defines tones, creating a sense of depth and atmosphere. Consider the labor-intensive nature of this process, a sharp contrast to today's digital printing. Appreciating the craft involved reminds us that every print is the product of skilled labor. This attention to materiality and making helps us to see beyond the image itself, and to understand its social and cultural significance.