Twaalf landschappen, dorpsgezichten en buitenplaatsen 1847 - 1891

This print, Twelve Landscapes, Village Views and Country Estates, was created by Johan Conrad Greive in the nineteenth century. The technique used here is etching, where lines are incised into a metal plate with acid, then inked and printed. Look closely, and you'll notice the density of fine lines that create the tonal range of the print. The landscapes are rendered in great detail, requiring both artistic skill and meticulous labor. What I find fascinating is the way that the printmaking medium allowed for a democratization of art viewing. This wasn't a one-off painting, but an image that could be editioned, and distributed widely. While the scenes themselves depict the residences of the wealthy, the artwork was available for a wider public to consume. This tension between subject matter and means of production makes this seemingly straightforward landscape print a fascinating object. It reminds us of the social context in which art is always embedded.