Gabriël Grub op weg naar het kerkhof 1871

Wilhelmus Petrus van Geldorp made this print of Gabriël Grub with etching and engraving techniques, using metal plates to create fine lines and detailed textures. The linear quality of the engraving and etching emphasizes the textures and intricate details of the scene, from the rough stone of the wall to the earthy quality of the graveyard. Look closely, and you’ll notice the way that Geldorp has skillfully modulated the depth of the lines to create a sense of light and shadow, adding volume to the figure of Gabriël Grub. The making process itself speaks to a moment in the history of image-making, when printmaking was essential to distributing stories, and when craft skill was fundamental to the process. This emphasis on craft reminds us that images, like all objects, have a material history, and understanding that history allows us to appreciate the artist’s skill, as well as the cultural context in which the work was made.