Zeilend schip met kustlijn op de achtergrond 1866 - 1910

This print of a sailboat with a coastline in the background was made by Frans Hens using etching, a printmaking technique that gained traction in the nineteenth century. The image's velvety blacks and grays are the result of the artist drawing into a wax-coated metal plate with a sharp needle, exposing the metal beneath. Once the plate is submerged in acid, the drawn lines are eaten away. This process creates grooves that hold ink, which is then transferred to paper under great pressure, revealing the image. The network of lines in this work is a direct result of Hens's hand movements, giving the scene a sense of immediacy. Although the materials and techniques used in the making of this print are relatively simple, the resulting image is rich in texture and tone. It demonstrates how a craft, like etching, can be elevated to fine art.