Bevoorrading van een schip 1791

Gerrit Groenewegen made this print, “Bevooraading van een schip,” or “Supplying a Ship,” with etching, a printmaking technique using metal plates. The artist would have coated a metal plate with a waxy, acid-resistant substance, then scratched the design into the wax, exposing the metal. The plate was then immersed in acid, which bit into the exposed lines. The longer the plate stayed in the acid, the deeper the lines became, resulting in darker lines in the final print. Groenewegen then applied ink to the plate, wiping away the excess from the surface, leaving ink only in the etched lines. Finally, he pressed paper onto the plate, transferring the ink and creating the print. The technique allowed for detailed line work, capturing the bustling scene of ships being supplied. The print not only showcases Groenewegen’s skill, but it also represents the intense labor behind maritime trade. It reminds us that what we often consider "fine art" is interwoven with the history of labor, politics, and consumption.