Landschap met kerk en koets c. 1643

This landscape with church and coach was etched by François Collignon, probably in the mid-17th century. The effect of this image hinges on the artist’s deft manipulation of line. Notice how he creates a sense of depth and atmosphere through the density and direction of the etched marks. Collignon would have used a sharp needle to draw through a waxy ground applied to a copper plate. The plate was then submerged in acid, which bit into the exposed lines. After the ground was removed, the plate was inked and wiped, leaving ink only in the etched lines. Finally, it was pressed onto paper, transferring the image. The etching process allowed for the relatively quick and easy reproduction of images, making art more accessible to a wider audience. It also democratized the means of production, enabling artists like Collignon to create and distribute their work independently, outside of traditional workshop structures. Ultimately, paying attention to the material and process allows us to appreciate the ingenuity and the social context of this seemingly simple landscape.