Twee figuren in een boot bij een stadspoort 1833 - 1862

Gijsbertus Johannes Verspuy created this print, 'Two Figures in a Boat by a City Gate,' using etching, a printmaking process, sometime before his death in 1862. Etching involves coating a metal plate with a waxy, acid-resistant substance. The artist then draws through this coating, exposing the metal. When the plate is submerged in acid, the exposed lines are eaten away, creating grooves. Ink is then applied to the plate, filling these grooves, and the surface is wiped clean. Finally, paper is pressed against the plate, transferring the ink and creating the print. The character of the etching technique has everything to do with the image’s qualities. Note the fine, delicate lines and the subtle gradations of tone, achieved through varying the density and depth of the etched lines. The image has an understated feel, almost like a quick sketch. But look closely, and you will see the great skill involved in the making. Verspuy has perfectly captured the scene's atmosphere, and the way light reflects off the water. Next time you look at a print, remember that it is not just an image, but the result of skilled labor and a deep understanding of materials.