Roeiboot op een rivier voor een boerderij in Wetteren 1841

Jean Théodore Joseph Linnig created this print, "Rowboat on a River in front of a Farm in Wetteren," using the etching process. Lines are incised into a metal plate with a sharp needle. The plate is then inked, and the ink is carefully wiped from the surface, remaining only in the etched lines. Finally, paper is pressed against the plate, transferring the image. This print is all about line. Note the careful hatching, which builds up tone and texture, bringing the scene to life. The fine lines are able to capture the roughness of the thatching. The subtlety of the reflections in the water are also skillfully rendered. Prints like this one were not considered as precious as paintings. They were relatively quick to produce in multiples, meeting a demand for images that circulated in the 19th century, making art accessible to a wider audience. The printmaking processes are just as valuable as painting and sculpture. They deserve our careful attention and respect.