Gezicht op buitenplaats Sterrenbos en gezicht op de tuinen bij buitenplaats Sterrenbos 1725 - 1768

This print, made by an anonymous artist, depicts the Sterrenbos estate and gardens. It’s an etching, created by covering a metal plate with a waxy, acid-resistant ground. The artist then scratched away the ground with a pointed tool, exposing the metal. The plate was then immersed in acid, which bit into the exposed lines, creating grooves. Ink was applied to the plate, filling the grooves, and the surface was wiped clean. Finally, paper was pressed against the plate, transferring the ink and creating the print. The precision required for this technique reflects the formal landscaping on display. These gardens were status symbols, emblems of wealth and control over nature. The very act of etching, with its careful labor and controlled application of acid, mirrors the human intervention in the natural world depicted in the scene. So, next time you see an etching, remember that its intricate lines and the world it depicts are products of skilled labor, shaped by social and economic forces. It’s a powerful reminder that art and craft are always intertwined with the wider world.