Gezicht op Tiel 1679

This print, *Gezicht op Tiel*, was made by Gaspar Bouttats in the late 17th century, using etching - or ‘aqua fort’ as it was then known. This process involves coating a metal plate with wax, scratching an image into it, and then bathing the plate in acid. The acid bites into the exposed metal, leaving behind incised lines, which are then inked and printed. The very nature of etching lends itself to linear detail and precision, perfectly suited to the depiction of Tiel's skyline, from the church spire to the windmills. Note how Bouttats uses line thickness and density to create depth and texture, conjuring the weight and substance of the architecture. However, beyond its aesthetic qualities, the print also speaks to a burgeoning print market, where images of cities and landscapes were increasingly in demand. This reflects a growing sense of civic pride and a desire to document and disseminate views of the world. The skilled labor of the etcher, combined with the materials of metal, acid, and ink, thus played a key role in shaping not only the image itself, but also the wider culture of its time.