Udsigt over Skjærdgaarden ved Elleholm i Bleking. 1880s

This landscape view was made by Adolph Kittendorff, using a steel engraving technique. The monochromatic print depicts a view of the Skjærdgaarden near Elleholm in Bleking. Steel engraving was a popular commercial printing method in the 19th century, as it allowed for fine detail and large print runs. The process involves cutting an image into a polished steel plate, which is then inked and used to make impressions on paper. The quality of the print depends greatly on the engraver’s skill. The intricate lines and tonal variations seen here would have required significant time and expertise to achieve. While Kittendorff may have been aiming for a picturesque scene, there’s also a commercial aspect to consider. Prints like these were often sold as affordable reproductions, bringing art to a wider audience. Yet, the skilled labor involved in creating the steel plate often goes unnoticed. The print is a window onto both a specific locale and the industrialization of art production.