Gezicht op de Kamperbinnenpoort in Amersfoort 1876 - 1912

This print, ‘Gezicht op de Kamperbinnenpoort in Amersfoort,’ was created by Adolphe van Weezel Errens using etching. It is a process steeped in craft tradition, diverging from painting, which was often considered higher art. The print's intricate lines capture a cityscape reflected in water, and are achieved by coating a metal plate with a waxy ground, and then scratching into it with a needle to expose the metal. When the plate is immersed in acid, the exposed lines are etched, creating grooves that hold ink. The plate is then wiped clean, and the ink is transferred to paper under high pressure, resulting in the final image. The etching process requires careful labor and technical skill, contrasting with more direct forms of artmaking. This printmaking tradition has long served as a medium for both artistic expression and the reproduction of images, blurring the lines between art and industry. The social context of production is palpable. It reminds us that all artworks are the product of specific means of production and human labor.