Houthakkers in het bos 1870 - 1909

H. Berthier made this print, Houthakkers in het bos, using etching, a traditional printmaking process. An etcher applies a waxy ground to a metal plate, then scratches an image into it with a needle before bathing the plate in acid. The acid bites into the exposed metal, creating recessed lines that hold ink. What's fascinating here is the stark contrast between the highly skilled technique and the subject matter, which depicts the labor of woodcutters. Berthier has used the etching to bring our attention to the weight, texture, and form of the forest and the wood they carry, reminding us of the manual labor involved in this task. We can see how the artist engaged with traditional tools and skills, and that Berthier's choice of subject matter – the everyday lives of laborers – brings social and political dimensions to the artwork. It challenges any strict separation of high art from craft.