Gezicht op een molen onder een brug door 1867 - 1890

Philip Zilcken made this etching, "View of a Mill Under a Bridge," using metal plates, acid, and ink. The image is achieved through a labor-intensive process. Zilcken would have coated a metal plate with a waxy, acid-resistant substance, then carefully scratched his design into this layer, exposing the metal underneath. The plate was then submerged in acid, which bit into the exposed lines, creating grooves. Ink was applied to the plate, filling these grooves, and the surface was wiped clean. Finally, the plate was pressed onto paper, transferring the ink and creating the image. The resulting print bears witness to its making, particularly in the subtle blurring of edges and the atmospheric haze that acid gives the metal. The etching process itself, requiring skilled labor and specialized knowledge, is a testament to the value we give to both industrial craft and artistic expression.