Gezicht op de zijkant van de nieuwe Amsterdamse Schouwburg op het Leidseplein, 1774 1774 - 1775

Noach van der Meer II created this print in 1774, depicting the side of Amsterdam’s New Theatre on Leidseplein. The print was made using etching, a printmaking technique that relies on the corrosive power of acid to create lines in a metal plate. In this case, copper. The artist covers the plate with a waxy, acid-resistant substance, then scratches an image into it. The plate is then immersed in acid, which bites into the exposed lines. The longer the plate is exposed, the deeper the lines become, which means they will hold more ink. The surface is then cleaned, and the plate inked and pressed onto paper, transferring the image. Notice the precise linework. This allowed van der Meer to capture the architectural details of the theatre and the texture of the surrounding cityscape. The technique also lends itself to the reproduction of images, making art more accessible to a wider audience. Etchings like this were instrumental in shaping public perceptions and documenting the changing urban landscape of the 18th century. This print is a testament to the enduring power of craft and the importance of understanding the materials and processes behind artistic creation.