Dorpsgezicht met kerk te Oosterlittens 1786 - 1792

Carel Frederik Bendorp made this print of a village scene with a church in Oosterlittens. Its fine lines and detailed textures are achieved through the process of etching. To make an etching, the artist coats a metal plate with a waxy, acid-resistant ground. Using a needle, they scratch away the ground, exposing the metal beneath. The plate is then immersed in acid, which bites into the exposed lines, creating grooves. Ink is applied to the plate, filling these grooves, and the surface is wiped clean. Finally, paper is pressed against the plate, transferring the ink and creating the print. The marks and labor of the printmaking process speak to the broader societal context. The work's methodical creation mirrors the everyday life of the village itself, with its rhythms of labor, community and the enduring presence of the church. Looking at the material processes and social context enriches our understanding and invites us to look more closely at these kind of images.