Gevechten te Leuven, 1786 1819 - 1826

Willem van Senus made this etching, "Gevechten te Leuven, 1786," using a metal plate, likely copper, and acid to bite away the lines that hold the image. The material itself, and the process used to manipulate it, is integral to the artwork's aesthetic. Notice the fineness of the lines, achieved through the controlled corrosion of the metal. This allows for a high level of detail, crucial for capturing the chaos and emotion of the scene. The linear quality emphasizes the dynamism of the brawling figures, frozen in a moment of conflict. Etching, as a printmaking technique, also speaks to the broader social context. It was a method of reproduction, allowing images to be disseminated widely. This print, depicting a riot, could have served as a form of political commentary or propaganda, distributed to inform or inflame public opinion. The very act of making and circulating such an image connects the artwork to the turbulent social and political landscape of its time, blurring the lines between art, information, and social action.