Gezicht op een kegelbaan in de Alkmaarder Hout 1736 - 1746

This is an etching made by Leonard Schenk in the 18th century, offering a glimpse into leisure activities of the time. It's created through a meticulous process: first, the artist coats a metal plate with wax, then scratches an image into the wax with a needle. The plate is then bathed in acid, which bites into the exposed metal lines. Ink is applied, filling these etched lines, and then the plate is pressed onto paper. The fineness of the lines in this print shows Schenk's mastery of the etching technique. Each element, from the trees to the figures, is rendered with a level of detail that speaks to the labor and skill involved. Etchings like these were not only artistic expressions, but also commodities, reproduced and sold in multiples. This brings into question how craft intersects with the rise of commercial culture. The image, with its depiction of people at play, connects to a wider social context. The production of art has always been intertwined with economic forces, reflecting both artistic vision and the demands of the market.