Aangemeerde zeilschepen in een inham bij een rivier 1858 - 1913

Henri Seghers created this etching of sailing ships in a river inlet toward the end of the 19th century. Etching is an indirect process, where the artist covers a metal plate with a waxy ground, then scratches an image into it with a needle. The plate is then immersed in acid, which bites away the exposed lines. The longer it sits in the acid, the deeper the lines will be. It's a technique of transfer, from drawing to plate to paper, with the acid bath a crucial step. Here, Seghers has exploited the etched line to full effect. Notice how he varies the pressure and density to create a full tonal range, from the dark hulls of the boats to the distant haze of the shore. This print stands as a testament to the labor involved, requiring planning, preparation, and patience to master the alchemical dance of acid and metal. This artwork reminds us that an etching is more than just an image, it’s a record of a meticulous and demanding making process.