Gezicht op de Grote Kerk te Breda 1786 - 1792

Carel Frederik Bendorp created this print of the Grote Kerk in Breda using etching, a printmaking process that democratized image production in the 18th century. Etching involves coating a metal plate with a waxy, acid-resistant layer, then drawing through the layer to expose the metal. The plate is then bathed in acid, which bites into the exposed lines, creating grooves. Ink is applied to the plate, filling these grooves, and then the surface is wiped clean. Finally, paper is pressed onto the plate, transferring the ink and creating the print. The etched line lends itself to conveying texture, light, and shadow, and it has an immediacy that other printing processes don't. The fact that it is relatively quick makes it a means for mass production, and it is directly tied to issues of labor, politics, and consumption. Through the precise, repeatable nature of printmaking, Bendorp’s work reflects the changing landscape of art production and consumption in the 1700s, marking a shift towards more accessible, widely distributed imagery.