Wittevrouwenpoort te Utrecht 1847 - 1874

Jan van Lokhorst created this print of the Wittevrouwenpoort in Utrecht using etching, a process that allows for a wealth of fine detail. The plate would have been covered with a waxy ground, and then the artist scratched the image into it with a needle. Acid then bit into the exposed metal, leaving behind recessed lines that would hold ink. This was then printed onto paper, resulting in this image. Notice how the etched lines give a sense of depth and texture, particularly in the reflection of the water. But what really brings this scene to life is the way Lokhorst uses line work to depict everyday life in the city. You see figures strolling along the canal, their forms rendered with quick, efficient strokes. It’s through this direct, hands-on process that Lokhorst captures the social life of the city. He elevates the everyday to the realm of art.