Landschap met boeren 1730

Marco Ricci made this print, "Landschap met boeren," using etching and engraving techniques. Look closely, and you'll notice the stark contrast between the dense foliage and the open sky. This effect is achieved through the meticulous process of incising lines into a metal plate, then using acid to bite away the exposed areas. The material nature of the printmaking process invites us to consider the social context in which this image was created. Notice the figures in the landscape; they are common laborers, their bodies bent under the weight of their tasks. Ricci's choice to depict these individuals, rendered through the skilled labor of the printmaker, subtly acknowledges the value of their work. The lines etched into the plate capture the essence of the landscape and the human figures within it, blurring the boundaries between fine art and the everyday realities of labor. It's a reminder that art is not created in a vacuum, but is deeply connected to the world of materials, making, and social life.