Zeilboten op het water 1851 - 1924

Carel Nicolaas Storm van 's-Gravesande created this etching of sailboats on water, likely in the late 19th or early 20th century. The printmaking process, specifically etching, plays a crucial role in the work's aesthetic. To create this artwork, the artist would have coated a metal plate with a waxy, acid-resistant substance, then drawn through this layer to expose the metal. When immersed in acid, the exposed lines would be etched into the plate. This painstaking method creates the fine lines we see here. The character of these lines influences the whole image, which creates an atmosphere of quiet industry. The image’s soft tonality is a direct result of the etching process, and the materiality of the metal plate itself. Ultimately, understanding the subtle, skillful labor involved in its making allows us to see this print not just as a picture, but as a testament to the artist's craft.