Gezicht op Vlissingen 1889 - 1902

Carel Nicolaas Storm van 's-Gravesande made this print of Vlissingen using etching, a printmaking technique that democratized image production in the 19th century. The print's tonal range, from the moody sky to the textured waves, demonstrates the artist’s technical skill, but also the accessibility of the medium. Using metal tools to inscribe an image onto a metal plate, bathing the plate with acid, then covering it with ink and pressing it on paper, etching enabled artists to make multiple copies of their work efficiently. The image of a bustling harbor also speaks to the economic importance of maritime trade. The visible labor of sailors, dockworkers, and shipbuilders, while not explicitly shown, are implied in the busy seascape, highlighting the relationship between labor and landscape. The artist’s engagement with printmaking as a medium, combined with the subject matter, creates an image that reflects the changing landscape of art and labor in the industrial age. This reminds us of the value of considering how artistic processes are intertwined with social, economic, and cultural contexts.