Gevecht bij Ginneken, 1793 1802

Carel Jacob de Huyser made this print of a skirmish near Ginneken in 1793. Its monochrome aesthetic results from etching, a printmaking process that uses acid to corrode the unprotected parts of a metal surface to create a design in the metal. Etching allowed de Huyser to produce many copies of his image. The labor is displaced. Instead of a unique, hand-crafted artwork, etching allowed for the mass production of images. This reflects a shift towards a more industrialized mode of art production, mirroring the societal changes occurring during this period. It's a process of mechanical reproduction – in which the hand of the artist still played a role, but one that was geared toward replication and distribution. Understanding de Huyser's print through its materials and making processes reveals a deeper connection to the social and economic context of the late 18th century. It prompts us to consider the role of art in reflecting and shaping society.