Antwerpen vanaf de Schelde gezien 1858 - 1903

Robert Mols created this print of Antwerp from the Scheldt river using etching, a process where lines are incised into a metal plate, inked, and then printed onto paper. The etched line has a distinctive character, a kind of controlled messiness. Note the dense web of lines defining the ships, water, and architectural forms. The success of an etching depends on skillful draftsmanship. But there is also an element of chance involved, as the acid bites into the metal. The image captures Antwerp as a bustling port city. Etching was well-suited to this subject matter, as it allowed for relatively quick and efficient reproduction. Prints like this one could be made in multiples and sold at reasonable prices, feeding a growing demand for images of modern life and labor. Consider how this print blurs the lines between fine art and commercial production. It invites us to consider the role of skilled labor in both realms.