Schokker op binnenwater 1791

Gerrit Groenewegen made this print, "Schokker op binnenwater," sometime in the late 18th or early 19th century, using etching, a printmaking process renowned for its fine lines and intricate details. The technique begins with a metal plate, coated in a waxy, acid-resistant ground. The artist scratches an image into the ground, exposing the metal beneath. When the plate is immersed in acid, the exposed lines are etched into the surface. This painstaking process captures the scene's every detail, from the billowing sails to the churning water. Look closely and you can almost see the labor of the sailors onboard. The choice of etching itself reflects a kind of labor, aligning this print with a broader world of craft. While some might consider it a "lesser" medium than painting, Groenewegen elevates etching through his mastery, reminding us that true artistry lies not just in the subject, but in the making itself.