Rocky Landscape with a Man Walking to the Right, First Version c. 1625 - 1630

Hercules Segers made this print of a rocky landscape sometime before his death in 1638, using etching and other techniques. Segers was known for his experimental approach to printmaking. The rough texture we see is no accident. Segers intentionally roughened the plate to create a sense of depth and atmosphere. Notice the use of line in the print, creating a rich tapestry of textures. He combined etching with other techniques, such as aquatint and drypoint, to achieve a painterly effect. This was highly unusual for the time, as printmaking was typically seen as a means of producing uniform, repeatable images. Segers, by contrast, embraced the unpredictable nature of the medium, creating prints that are unique and full of character. Segers elevated printmaking from a reproductive craft to a form of original artistic expression. His approach challenged the traditional hierarchy between painting and printmaking, and his work paved the way for future generations of artists to explore the creative possibilities of the medium.