Park bij kasteel 1905

This print, Park bij kasteel, was made by Simon Moulijn. The technique used here is etching; the artist would have coated a metal plate with wax, drawn his composition into it, and then bathed the plate in acid. This bites away the exposed lines, which are then inked and printed. The material quality of the print has a huge impact on the image itself. Look closely at the reflections in the water; the density of tiny etched lines creates a shimmering effect. And notice how the castle in the background is made atmospheric and dreamlike, through a very fine hatching. The printmaking tradition is a fascinating one. Though it can be used for artistic expression, it has also been a workhorse of capitalism. Consider the sheer number of prints that have been made over the centuries, as documents, propaganda, and illustrations. The potential for mass production is inherent in the process itself. This image reminds us that even the most apparently straightforward image is the result of skilled labor, and has its own social and cultural significance.