Islamitische galeislaven op het strand 1647

Cornelis de Wael made this print, “Islamitische galeislaven op het strand,” using etching, a printmaking technique that utilizes metal plates. To make an etching, a metal plate is coated in wax, and the artist scratches an image into the wax, exposing the metal. The plate is then bathed in acid, which bites into the exposed lines. This process creates grooves in the metal, which hold ink. When the plate is pressed onto paper, the ink transfers, creating a print. The process demands meticulous skill, requiring the artist to understand the properties of acid, metal, and ink. Here, etching allows De Wael to capture the intricate details of the scene – the textures of clothing, the expressions on faces, the smoke rising from the fire. The lines of the etching create a sense of depth and volume, drawing the viewer into the composition, though the labor involved in this scene is far from visible in the image itself. De Wael's choice of etching reflects a deep understanding of materials and processes, and of the social dynamics and material realities of the early modern world.