Oude man met platte muts en veer 1731

This print of an ‘Old Man with Flat Cap and Feather’ was made by Christian Wilhelm Ernst Dietrich in 1731 using etching. Take a close look. Etching involves drawing with a sharp needle through a waxy ground on a metal plate, which is then immersed in acid. The acid bites into the exposed lines, creating an image that can then be printed. Think about the labor involved; the fine detail requires precision and control, showcasing Dietrich's mastery. The resulting print has a distinctive texture: fine, slightly irregular lines that capture the man’s features and the texture of his clothing. The material, in this case the metal plate and the acid, dictates the aesthetic, resulting in an image that has both depth and a certain rawness. By focusing on process, we can appreciate the skill involved in creating this image, challenging any hierarchy between craft and so-called ‘fine art’.