View of a Dutch Town (Rhenan) n.d.

Anthonie Waterloo created this “View of a Dutch Town (Rhenan)” using etching, a printmaking technique that democratized image production in the 17th century. The fine lines you see result from a collaboration between material and hand. First, the artist applied a wax coating to a copper plate. Then, using a sharp needle, Waterloo carefully scratched away the wax, revealing the bare metal. The plate was then submerged in acid, which bit into the exposed lines, deepening them. Ink was then applied to the plate and the surface wiped clean. The ink remains only in the etched lines. When paper is pressed against the plate, the image transfers, resulting in the print we see here. This process allowed for multiple, identical images to be created, making art more accessible and affordable. The etching process, while requiring skill, was less physically demanding than other forms of printmaking, like engraving. By embracing this method, Waterloo participated in a shift towards a more efficient and widely distributed visual culture, reflecting the burgeoning commercialism of the Dutch Golden Age.