Raderstoomboot aangemeerd aan een kade 1858 - 1913

Henri Seghers created this etching, *Raderstoomboot aangemeerd aan een kade*, which translates to *Paddle Steamer Moored on a Quay*, using metal plates and acid to create the lines of the image. The print captures the bustling energy of the port. Seghers has used the etching to depict the scene with a high level of detail. Notice how the technique allows for the creation of fine lines and textures. These capture the reflective surface of the water, and the rough textures of the wooden posts and stone buildings, giving the scene a sense of depth and atmosphere. Look closely at the figures loading and unloading the ship, these suggest the realities of labor of the port, and invite reflection on issues of trade, commerce, and the working class in the Netherlands during Seghers' lifetime. Considering both the material and the image, we can appreciate how this print invites us to consider the social context of this busy port scene, and raises questions about the role of craft and industry in shaping everyday life.