Hooikar 1867 - 1890

Philip Zilcken made this etching, Hooikar, using a metal plate and acid to create a highly detailed image. Notice how the lines vary in thickness and depth, a hallmark of the etching process. Zilcken captures a horse and cart laden with hay, a scene of rural labor. The texture of the hay is particularly remarkable. Consider how Zilcken used the etching technique to convey the weight and density of the load, and the horse's effort. The print hints at the hard work of agricultural laborers, and invites us to reflect on the connections between labor, landscape, and the production of art. Zilcken elevates a common scene into a work of art, prompting us to reconsider the value we place on both artistic skill and manual labor.