Haven in Dordrecht bij maanlicht 1851 - 1887

Carel Nicolaas Storm van 's-Gravesande created "Haven in Dordrecht bij maanlicht" using etching, a printmaking technique that relies on corrosive acids to create an image on a metal plate. Here, the artist applied a waxy, acid-resistant coating to the plate, then scratched an image into the wax with a sharp needle. The plate was then immersed in acid, which bit into the exposed metal. By varying the depth of the etching, the artist controlled the amount of ink held by the plate, resulting in a rich range of tones. Consider the labor involved in this process: the careful preparation of the plate, the precise drawing, the controlled corrosion, and the printing itself. Though seemingly delicate, this print reflects a deep engagement with materials and industrial processes. It reminds us that even the most ethereal of images are rooted in tangible making.