Boereninterieur (eerste versie) c. 1767 - 1782

Jabes Heenck created this etching, “Boereninterieur (eerste versie),” using metal plate and acid, sometime before his death in 1782. The etching process itself is indirect: the artist protects the plate with a coating, draws an image through it, and then immerses the plate in acid. This etches the exposed lines, allowing for printing. The effect here is wonderfully gritty, suiting the subject: a rough-and-ready peasant interior. Note the expressive use of hatching and cross-hatching, creating dense shadow and texture. This all speaks to the labor involved in both the scene depicted and the print’s production. The interior reveals the bare bones of the dwelling, reflecting a life of toil. The very act of etching mirrors this, demanding patience and skill to transfer an image from mind to plate. The print invites us to consider the relationship between artistic creation and the lives of ordinary people. It collapses any distinction between high art and the everyday, inviting us to see the value in both.