Het afbranden van de zoutketen te Arnemuiden, 7 juli 1802 1803

George Kockers made this print of the burning of saltworks at Arnemuiden on July 7, 1802, using etching or engraving, processes that rely on the controlled erosion of metal to create an image. This mode of production is significant. Prints like this were the newspapers of their day, and the graphic impact of the stark black and white is immediate, almost like photojournalism. But think about the labor involved: the careful drawing through a resistant ground, the biting of the metal with acid, and the repetitive work of printing. The image shows the destruction of the saltworks, which were essential to the local economy. Salt was big business then, used to preserve food and as a chemical ingredient. The scene is chaotic, with flames engulfing the wooden structures. In the foreground, figures are desperately trying to salvage what they can, a poignant reminder of the human cost of industrial disaster. Ultimately, this print isn't just a record of an event; it's a meditation on labor, industry, and loss, captured through the meticulous process of printmaking.