Gezicht op de Hogesluis naar de Buiten-Amstel, de Amsteldijk en de molens aan de Zaagmolensloot te Amsterdam 18th century

This hand-colored etching depicts a view of the Hogesluis lock in Amsterdam, made by Basset in the late 18th or early 19th century. The printmaking process is crucial here. Etching involves coating a metal plate with a waxy ground, scratching an image into it, and then bathing the plate in acid, which bites into the exposed lines. This creates grooves that hold ink. The plate is then pressed onto paper, transferring the image. The addition of color by hand adds another layer of labor, and also another layer of aesthetic interest. Notice how Basset uses delicate washes to evoke the sky, water, and architecture. The windmills in the background aren't just picturesque; they're symbols of Dutch industry and ingenuity, grinding grain, sawing wood, and pumping water. They were essential to Amsterdam's economic vitality. So, when we look at this print, we're not just seeing a pretty picture. We're seeing the intersection of skilled labor, industrial production, and artistic expression. All of which challenges the traditional hierarchy that separates fine art from craft.