Havengezicht met zeilschip dat wordt binnengehaald Possibly 1774

This aquatint, "Havengezicht met zeilschip dat wordt binnengehaald", or "Harbor View with Sailing Ship Being Brought In," was made by Richard Earlom in 1774. Aquatint is a printmaking technique that allows artists to achieve a wide range of tonal effects, closely resembling the look of watercolor washes. Earlom masterfully uses this method to capture the atmospheric effects of the harbor scene. To create an aquatint, a printmaker sprinkles powdered resin onto a metal plate, then heats it to adhere the resin. When etched, the acid bites around the resin particles, creating a textured surface that holds ink. By varying the density of the resin and the duration of the etching, Earlom achieved subtle gradations of light and shadow. Here, the aquatint technique beautifully evokes the maritime industry in the age of sail. The print serves as a reminder of the labor, trade, and industrial activities that shaped this era. Appreciating such work requires us to consider the historical context of its making.