Gezicht op de Schreierstoren te Amsterdam 1848 - 1902

Editor: Here we have Frans Schikkinger's etching, "Gezicht op de Schreierstoren te Amsterdam," likely created between 1848 and 1902. It's a cityscape, almost ghostly with its pale tones. What strikes me is the contrast between the solid tower and the sketchier rendering of the water. What stands out to you in this piece? Curator: Considering its creation as an etching, it compels us to think about the industrialization of art during that era. Etchings like this made art more accessible to the middle class. What was once painstakingly rendered by hand could now be reproduced, influencing consumerism. Note the subject—not a grand palace, but a working city with a clearly important maritime building. What do you make of that choice? Editor: It's like the artist is elevating everyday life. Not depicting gods or nobles, but a functional, working building within the Amsterdam cityscape. Curator: Exactly. And the print medium underscores that democratization. Think of the labour involved, not just in the artist’s hand, but in the production of the printing press, the etching tools, the paper... These materials situate the art object within networks of production and consumption. Even the subtle gradations of tone achievable with etching demonstrate a control over the material that moves beyond mere representation. Editor: So, the etching technique itself and the urban subject are intrinsically linked to the rising middle class and industrial advancements. Curator: Precisely. The choice of subject reflects the artist's relationship to labor and commerce. How else can we view art of this period through a material lens? Editor: It reframes how I see this piece. It's not just a pretty picture; it is intertwined with economic and technological shifts of the 19th Century. Curator: Agreed, and understanding the materiality allows us to situate it within a richer historical and social framework.