Waterachtig landschap 1908

Heinrich Reifferscheid made this print called Waterachtig landschap, using etching, a printmaking process with a long history. An etcher coats a metal plate with a waxy, acid-resistant substance, then scratches an image into that coating. The plate is then immersed in acid, which bites into the exposed metal, creating the lines that will hold ink. The longer the plate sits in the acid, the deeper the lines become, resulting in darker tones in the final print. The plate is then inked, wiped clean, and pressed onto paper, transferring the image. Reifferscheid was known for his landscape etchings, often depicting scenes from the Lower Rhine region. The subtle tonal variations achieved through etching lend themselves well to capturing the atmosphere of these landscapes. The lines evoke a sense of quiet and stillness, reflecting a close observation of the natural world. While etching is a mechanical process that allows for multiples, each print retains a handmade quality, a direct connection to the artist's hand and eye. This challenges us to reconsider what we mean by craft and fine art.