Scheepstimmerwerf c. 1810 - 1850

Gerrit Lamberts made this print of a shipyard, using a technique called etching. In etching, a metal plate is coated with a waxy substance, through which the artist scratches an image. The plate is then submerged in acid, which bites into the exposed lines. When the wax is removed and the plate inked, the ink settles into those etched lines, allowing the image to be printed onto paper. This technique can allow for very fine detail, capturing a sense of light and shadow that might otherwise be lost. The image itself, a bustling shipbuilding yard, speaks volumes about labor and industry. We see boats in various stages of construction and repair, with the surrounding buildings likely housing workshops and storage. Lamberts draws our attention to the work itself, and the skilled labor of the shipyard workers, capturing a moment in time that emphasizes the economic and social fabric of the community. By focusing on these material processes, we get a better understanding of both the artwork and the world it represents.