Bruggetje bij Sandenhoef, Overveen before 1815

Hermanus van Brussel made this print of a bridge near Sandenhoef using etching. The artist covers a metal plate with a waxy, acid-resistant substance, then scratches the image into it with a needle. Immersing the plate in acid, etches the lines, before ink is applied and the image is printed onto paper. The texture and tone, achieved through layers of etching and printing, give depth to the composition, especially in the foliage and the reflections on the water’s surface. The image's appeal lies in its evocation of the Dutch landscape. The etching is made with careful labor, manipulating materials and processes to transform base metal into art. This print is a reminder that all artworks are fundamentally rooted in material and making. By appreciating the labor and skill involved, we can challenge the traditional distinctions between fine art and craft.