Ronde toren met een poort 1614

Esaias van de Velde made this small print of a round tower with a gate using etching, a printmaking process that allows for a remarkable amount of fine detail. The plate itself would have been made of copper. Etching relies on acid to bite into the metal, creating recessed lines that hold ink. The artist would apply a waxy ground, draw through it to expose the metal, and then immerse the plate in acid. This painstaking procedure, done in reverse, demanded immense technical skill. The resulting image bears the marks of this process, with a remarkable tonal range achieved through varying line weights and densities. Van de Velde's technical mastery elevates the humble materials of copper and acid into a work of art. The print also speaks to a growing market for landscapes among the rising Dutch merchant class, who celebrated both the natural world, and the skilled labour required to represent it. Ultimately, understanding the material and the making of this print helps us appreciate its unique status, both as a technical achievement and a cultural artifact.