Hollandse harddraverij, ca. 1775 by Simon Fokke

Hollandse harddraverij, ca. 1775

1778

Simon Fokke's Profile Picture

Simon Fokke

1712 - 1784

Location

Rijksmuseum
0:00
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Artwork details

Medium
print, engraving
Dimensions
height 209 mm, width 415 mm
Location
Rijksmuseum
Copyright
Rijks Museum: Open Domain

Tags

#dutch-golden-age#print#landscape#figuration#line#cityscape#genre-painting#engraving

About this artwork

This print, Hollandse harddraverij, was made around 1775 by Simon Fokke using etching and engraving techniques. The image captures a horse race, a popular spectacle, set against a detailed landscape filled with spectators. The methods used by Fokke were typical of the era, relying on the skilled manipulation of metal plates to create intricate lines and textures. Each line etched into the metal required precision, demonstrating a high level of craft. The printmaking process also allowed for multiple reproductions, making art more accessible to a wider audience. Looking closely, the detailed rendering of figures and the setting would have taken considerable time. This reflects the economic realities of the art world, where artists like Fokke balanced artistic expression with market demand, engaging with the culture of leisure and entertainment emerging at the time. Considering the making of this print encourages us to think about the social context in which it was produced, blurring the lines between fine art and popular culture.

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