Gezicht op de Oude Vismarkt en visverkoperstoren in Antwerpen 1868

This etching, depicting the Old Fish Market and Fishmongers' Tower in Antwerp, was made by Jean Théodore Joseph Linnig sometime in the mid-19th century. The image is created through the labor-intensive process of etching, where a metal plate is coated, drawn upon, and then bathed in acid to create recessed lines that hold ink. Look closely and you can see how Linnig skillfully varies the density and direction of these etched lines to evoke textures, light, and shadow. The choice of this printmaking method, rather than painting, speaks volumes. It allowed for the creation of multiple impressions, making the image more accessible to a wider audience. But it also aligns with the broader history of printmaking, closely linked to the rise of capitalism and the distribution of information and imagery. The etching process, with its blend of craft and industry, mirrors the bustling marketplace scene it depicts, where the daily labor of buying and selling fish played out against the backdrop of the city's architectural heritage.