Landschap met berk bij Brasschaat 1860 - 1888

Theodoor Verstraete made this landscape with birch near Brasschaat using etching, a printmaking technique that dates back to the Middle Ages. The image starts with a metal plate, usually copper or zinc, which is coated with a waxy, acid-resistant material. The artist then scratches into this coating with a pointed tool, exposing the metal underneath. The plate is then immersed in acid, which bites into the exposed lines, creating grooves. Once the coating is removed, the plate is inked, and the surface wiped clean, leaving ink only in the etched lines. Finally, the plate is pressed onto a sheet of paper, transferring the image. Here, the density of the etched lines creates areas of dark and light, effectively capturing the atmosphere of the landscape. The etched lines of the birch tree stand out against the landscape, which are tied to wider social issues of labor, politics and consumption. Understanding etching brings us closer to the artist's hand, challenging the traditional separation of fine art from skilled craft.