Ruïne op kade aan zee 1650 - 1695

This print, "Ruïne op kade aan zee" (Ruin on a quayside by the sea), was made by Nicolas Perelle in the 17th century using etching. The process involves coating a metal plate with wax, scratching an image into the wax with a needle, and then submerging the plate in acid, which bites away at the exposed metal, leaving behind an incised line. Here, Perelle captured a scene of everyday life by the sea. The network of fine lines creates texture, shadow, and detail, from the crumbling architecture to the billowing sails of the ship. The etched lines are not just descriptive; they give the scene a sense of depth and atmosphere. Etching was a relatively efficient method, which lent itself to printmaking and wider distribution, fitting into the growing mercantile economy. This print, with its classical ruins, serves not only as a picturesque scene, but also a document of Perelle’s time, reflecting the era’s interest in classical antiquity and the bustling world of maritime trade.