Landschap met kale bomen en houthakkers c. 1896

Willem de Zwart made this landscape with bare trees and woodcutters using etching, a printmaking technique where a metal plate is covered in wax, and a design is scratched into the wax with a needle, exposing the metal. The plate is then immersed in acid, which bites into the exposed lines. This etching process is evident in the finely detailed lines, and gives a tangible impression of texture and weight to the trees and figures. Note how the varying depths and densities of the etched lines create a sense of depth and atmosphere, capturing the starkness of the landscape and the arduous labor of the woodcutters. De Zwart was clearly interested in everyday scenes, and the social realities of work. By emphasizing the labor-intensive craft of etching and portraying laborers in the landscape, de Zwart blurs the lines between fine art and the realities of everyday life and work. Looking at the making and the subject of this work, reveals the value of materials and processes when considering the meaning of the artwork.