Centrale Keuken c. 1944

This print titled 'Centrale Keuken' by Erkelens uses etching, a printmaking technique that dates back centuries. A metal plate is coated with a waxy ground, and the artist draws into this, exposing the metal. When acid is applied, it bites into the exposed lines. This plate is then inked and printed, transferring the image onto paper. The resulting lines are incredibly delicate, creating a sense of depth and texture. Look closely and you’ll see the incredible amount of work involved. Etching is labor-intensive, demanding skill and precision. The material quality of the print – its fineness, its tonal range, and the intimacy of its scale – all reflect the social context of its making. The print suggests a scene of poverty, and a central kitchen providing food for those in need. The amount of labor needed for the depicted activity and the print itself is a poignant reminder of the social and economic realities of the time. It challenges our perceptions of what "fine art" can represent, and acknowledges the importance of craft and material processes in understanding its full meaning.