Ruïne van San Karin op Visby 1864 - 1910

Cornelia Christina Johanna van Trigt-Hoevenaar made this etching of the Ruïne van San Karin op Visby using traditional printmaking techniques. The fine lines, achieved with careful strokes of the etching needle, create a detailed image of the ruined structure. Consider the artist’s process: a labor-intensive, skilled practice requiring careful planning and execution. Van Trigt-Hoevenaar likely worked from a sketch or photograph, meticulously transferring the image onto a metal plate covered with a waxy ground. She then used an etching needle to draw through the ground, exposing the metal beneath. The plate was then immersed in acid, which bit into the exposed lines, creating grooves that would hold the ink. The final print is a result of this multi-stage process, bearing the mark of her hand and the chemical reactions that brought it to life. The print invites us to consider the labor and skill involved in its making, prompting questions about value, authorship, and the relationship between art and industry.