Gezicht op de Aalmarkt in Leiden 1863

This print of the Aalmarkt in Leiden was made by an anonymous artist, using a technique called etching. Notice how the artist has used line to describe the textures of the buildings, sky, and water. Etching is an indirect process; the artist covers a metal plate with a waxy ground, then scratches an image into it. The plate is then immersed in acid, which bites away the exposed lines. The longer it’s left in the acid, the deeper and darker the lines will be when printed. So, the artist has a lot of control over the final image, but it’s a complex, multi-stage process. The printmaking tradition has always been closely linked to commerce, politics, and consumption. Prints were often used to disseminate information or to promote products. In this case, the print offers a picturesque view of a bustling marketplace. So, while it may seem like a simple image, it’s actually the product of a highly skilled process, and it offers us a glimpse into the social and economic life of the time. Appreciating these things helps us to understand its full meaning.