Straatgezicht, te Saint-Ouen-l'Aumône 1867 - 1914

Maurits van der Valk created this etching of a street scene in Saint-Ouen-l'Aumône. The printmaking process is itself deeply connected to labor, politics, and consumption. Consider the artist's skilled hand as he uses a sharp needle to draw into a coated metal plate. Lines etched into the metal will hold the ink, with the plate then pressed onto paper. This technique allows for the reproduction of images, making art more accessible to a wider audience, reflecting the rise of consumer culture. The etching's texture and line quality are influenced by the directness of the engraving process. Look at the composition and the rendering of the buildings, the cobbled street, the figures. The repetitive marks suggest the repetitive labor of the working class that inhabits this space. By focusing on the materials and processes involved in the creation of this print, we can understand its connection to the social and economic context of its time, blurring boundaries between art, craft, and social commentary.