Landschap met ronde toren 1761 - 1784

Johannes Janson created this small landscape with a round tower in the 18th century, using etching. This printmaking process involves coating a metal plate with wax, scratching an image into it, and then bathing the plate in acid. The acid bites away the exposed metal, leaving incised lines that hold ink. When pressed onto paper, these lines create the image. The image is built up from a dense accumulation of tiny hatched lines, carefully modulated to create a sense of light and shadow. Notice how Janson uses this technique to convey the rough texture of the stone tower and the surrounding foliage. Etching was a popular medium for artists in the 18th century, as it allowed for relatively quick and easy reproduction of images. Prints like this were often sold as souvenirs to tourists, or collected by art enthusiasts. The seemingly humble etching is a reminder that art has always been intertwined with broader social and economic forces.