Gezicht op de Westminster Bridge over de rivier de Theems te Londen, gezien vanaf de tuin van Somerset House Possibly 1750 - 1758

Robert Sayer made this print of Westminster Bridge and the Thames in the latter half of the 18th century using etching and watercolor. It’s not just a picture; it's a product of its time, both in its subject matter and how it was made. The etching process involved coating a metal plate with wax, scratching an image into it, and then using acid to bite the design, meaning the lines you see have been physically eaten away by the process. This was then inked and printed. The application of watercolor added a delicate touch, softening the industrial feel of the etching. The bridge itself speaks to industrial progress, facilitating trade and movement, and the labor involved in its construction. The printmaking process, too, was a form of mass production, making art more accessible, and the skilled labor of the etcher combined artistic vision with technical expertise. Looking at this print, we can appreciate how its materials and making reflect the broader changes happening in society. It challenges us to think about the labor, skill, and innovation that went into creating not just the scene depicted, but the artwork itself.