Koeien in een weiland 1858

Willem Steelink made this print of cows in a meadow using a technique called etching. It’s a process with a long history. The artist covers a metal plate with a waxy, protective layer, then scratches an image into it, exposing the metal. The plate is then dipped in acid, which bites into the exposed lines, creating grooves. Ink is applied to the plate, filling these grooves, and the surface is wiped clean. Finally, the plate is pressed onto paper, transferring the ink and creating the print. The image is evocative of the Dutch landscape, and the labor involved in dairy farming. This was a key part of the Dutch economy, and here, the material - the etched metal plate - is used to render a pastoral scene, with cows in a field. The detailed lines create texture in the grass and the animals’ coats. Ultimately, this print demonstrates how a traditional craft like etching can capture and celebrate the everyday life and labor of the Dutch countryside.