At Zaandam 1877

This print, At Zaandam, was made by Maxime Lalanne in the 19th century, using etching. This intaglio printmaking technique involves using acid to cut into a metal plate, which is then inked and printed. Notice how the etched lines define the boats, windmills, and reflections in the water. The material qualities of the metal plate itself are essential here; its hardness allows for incredibly fine detail. But it is the chemical reaction of acid on metal that ultimately creates the image. Lalanne was part of a 19th-century etching revival, which saw artists embracing printmaking as a fine art, rather than just a means of reproduction. As industrialization changed the landscape, artists like Lalanne found beauty in the working world, depicting scenes of labor and industry. Understanding the making process and the historical context really brings this image to life, reminding us that art is always connected to the world around it.