Dukdalf bij een haven 1867 - 1914

Maurits van der Valk made this print of a harbor piling, or 'Dukdalf' in Dutch, using etching techniques. This printmaking method involves biting lines into a metal plate with acid, inking the recesses, and pressing the plate onto paper. The material of the plate deeply influences the appearance. Its smooth, hard surface allows for extremely fine lines, giving the scene a delicate, almost dreamlike quality. Look closely, and you can see how the etched lines vary in depth and thickness, creating a sense of light and shadow. This technique captures the subtle nuances of the water and the weathered texture of the wooden post. Consider the skilled labor involved in both the creation of the piling itself - the felling of trees, shaping of wood, and its installation - and the printmaking process. The artist translates this industrial scene into an aesthetic one. By focusing on these processes, we can appreciate how the making and materials contribute to the overall significance of the image.