Huizen aan een vijver 1640 - 1698

This print, "Huizen aan een vijver," was made by Anna Maria de Koker sometime before her death in 1698, using etching. Etching involves coating a metal plate with a waxy, acid-resistant substance, then scratching an image into that coating. The plate is then immersed in acid, which bites into the exposed metal. The longer it sits in the acid, the deeper the lines become, allowing for varying tones in the final print. De Koker would have then applied ink to the etched plate, carefully wiping the surface to leave ink only in the etched lines. Damp paper is then laid on the plate, and run through a press, transferring the image onto the paper. The process requires skill and precision, demanding a deep understanding of materials and chemical processes. While etching might be considered a fine art technique, it shares much with craft practices that rely on technical expertise and manual skill. So, next time you look at a print, think about the labor and knowledge that went into its creation.