Vertrek van een vissersboot uit Blankenberge 1842

Egidius Linnig created this etching of a fishing boat leaving Blankenberge in 1842, using metal plate and acid. The etched lines give us an insight into the graphic language of the time, a direct, unmediated impression of the scene that the artist wanted to capture. The lines, with their varying weights and densities, convey a sense of motion and the roughness of the sea. The etching process itself – the careful application of acid to bite into the metal, and the controlled inking and printing – mirrors the labor-intensive work of the fishermen depicted. Consider the social context here: Linnig is not just representing a scene, but also a way of life dependent on the labor of individuals, their relationship to the unpredictable sea, and a whole industry. The print gives us a peek into a world where people are linked to the economic and environmental factors that dictate their daily routines. This piece blurs the lines between observation, documentation, and artistic interpretation, reminding us of the role of labor and industry in art.