Dorpsgezicht 1899

Pierre Jacques Dierckx made this print, ‘Dorpsgezicht,’ using etching, a process where lines are incised into a metal plate, which is then inked and printed. Notice how the etched lines define the architecture and the road. The material qualities of the printmaking process have deeply influenced this image of a village scene. The linear quality of etching lends itself well to depicting the textures of the stone walls and thatched roofs. It also speaks to the repetitive, almost mechanical nature of printmaking. This was a time of great social change, with industrialization transforming the landscape and daily life. Dierckx's choice of etching, with its roots in craft, might be seen as a deliberate choice to represent a world untouched by these changes, focusing on the quiet, enduring aspects of rural life. By appreciating the materiality and making of 'Dorpsgezicht,’ we move beyond simply seeing a picturesque view. We can also consider the social and cultural values embedded in both the subject of the artwork and its very means of production.