Gezicht op de Engelse vest in Antwerpen waarop boomstammen verzameld worden, op de achtergrond bebouwing en een molen 1879

Jean Théodore Joseph Linnig made this print of the English Vest in Antwerp using etching, a printmaking technique that dates back to the Middle Ages. The image is composed of lines, bitten into a metal plate with acid, then inked and pressed onto paper. Linnig's choice of etching, a process capable of capturing fine detail and tonal variations, highlights the textures of the scene: the rough-hewn logs, the reflections on the water, and the dense foliage. The print makes visible the labor involved in gathering and transporting timber, likely for construction or fuel, reflecting the economic activities of the area. The artist has a keen eye for the built environment, showing the intimate relationship between human industry and the natural world. In doing so, the print challenges traditional distinctions between fine art and craft. Linnig elevates the everyday, revealing the value and importance of the work that sustains a community.