Gezicht op de Londen North Bank, gezien van de London Bridge 1836

This print, "Gezicht op de Londen North Bank, gezien van de London Bridge," was made by Thomas Higham in the early 19th century using a technique called etching. Etching involves coating a metal plate with a waxy, acid-resistant substance, then scratching an image into that surface. When the plate is submerged in acid, the exposed lines are eaten away, creating grooves that hold ink. The plate is then printed onto paper. The process enabled Higham to capture a remarkably detailed depiction of London Bridge, bustling with figures and horse-drawn carts. The quality of line gives a real sense of atmosphere, almost like a photograph. Consider the labor involved, both in building the city represented and in the meticulous craft of printmaking. Higham’s choice of etching, a technique demanding skilled labor and precision, mirrors the industry and craftsmanship that built the city of London itself. It makes you wonder about the parallels between the making of the image, and the making of the metropolis it depicts.