Straatgezicht in Antwerpen 1893

Edouard Tyck created this etching, ‘Street View in Antwerp’, using the printmaking process to depict a wintery scene. The network of fine lines of the etching capture the architectural details of the old buildings and cobblestone streets, evoking the atmosphere of a cold winter's day. The etching process itself is critical to understanding the artwork's appeal. The artist would have painstakingly drawn an image on a metal plate covered with wax, then submerged the plate in acid. This would have bitten away the exposed lines, which then held ink and transferred to paper under great pressure. This laborious process allowed the image to be reproduced multiple times. Looking at the final print, you can sense the amount of work involved in its production. The image hints at the lives of ordinary people, their places, and spaces, suggesting that even the everyday could be a subject worthy of artistic consideration. This etching transcends traditional boundaries, inviting us to appreciate the skills and labor that went into its creation.