Rivierlandschap met drie boten Possibly 1662 - 1833

This river landscape with three boats was etched by Jan van Almeloveen in the late 17th century. Etching is an indirect intaglio process, which involves drawing with a sharp needle into a wax ground on a metal plate, which is then bitten by immersion in acid. The resulting lines hold ink, and it is then transferred to paper. Note the crispness of the lines, the way Almeloveen has used this medium to capture a sense of depth and atmosphere. The acid gives the lines a slightly bitten quality. The image shows how central river traffic was to the Dutch economy and society. Consider the labor involved in transporting goods by water, and the ways in which this print both reflects and romanticizes that reality. It makes us think about the role of craft and skill, not just in the creation of the print itself, but in the everyday lives of the people depicted within it. This piece encourages us to look beyond traditional notions of art, and recognize the value and significance of the skills and labor that shape our world.