Gezichten op de Zomervaart en het Penningsveer bij Haarlem 1761 - 1763

This print, "Gezichten op de Zomervaart en het Penningsveer bij Haarlem," was made by Cornelis van Noorde in the 18th century, using engraving, a printmaking technique where lines are incised into a metal plate to hold ink. The material qualities of an engraving – its sharp precision and reproducibility – lent themselves well to the depiction of Dutch landscapes. The intricate lines capture the textures of the rural scenes, from the thatched roofs of the farmhouses to the sails of the windmills. Each line is the result of manual labor. The artisan's hand skillfully guides the engraving tool to create an image that speaks to the rhythms of agrarian life, but also the new possibilities of industrial production. Windmills, such as those depicted here, were essential to the Dutch economy, used for milling grain, sawing wood, and draining water, and are essential to the labor required to maintain the Dutch landscape. By focusing on the materials and labor involved in both the making of the print and the scenes it depicts, we can gain a richer understanding of its cultural significance, blurring the lines between art, craft, and industry.