Gezicht op Deventer vanaf de overkant van de IJssel 1637 - 1638

This is Gezicht op Deventer vanaf de overkant van de IJssel, made by Eberhard Kieser around the turn of the 17th century, using the technique of etching. What we have here is a really interesting convergence of material, process, and social context. Etching is an intaglio printmaking process in which lines are incised into a metal plate, in this case probably copper or zinc, in order to hold the applied ink and form an image. The image is created through the controlled corrosion of acid, and the depth of the lines can vary by regulating the duration and concentration of the acid bath. The image shows a lovely contrast between the built environment of the city, and the landscape that surrounds it. It's easy to see that the technique is highly reproducible, allowing these images to circulate widely, and serve as a way of documenting the city for a broader audience. The artist really knew how to create an illusion of depth using the etching technique. Ultimately, the etching material, the etching process, and the urban environment are all interconnected here, demonstrating how art, city, and commerce are intrinsically linked.