Julies sterfbed 1782

This is “Julie’s Deathbed,” made by Daniel Nikolaus Chodowiecki sometime before 1801. It’s a tiny etching, made by incising lines into a copper plate, inking it, and pressing it onto paper. The fineness of line speaks to the intense labor involved. Chodowiecki would have used specialized tools to achieve such delicate effects, building up the image stroke by stroke. Notice how the lines are not just descriptive, defining the figures and setting, but also expressive. The sorrow of the mourners is palpable, and the textures of the room – from the patterned wallpaper to the heavy drapery of the bed – all contribute to a feeling of somber drama. Prints like this were relatively accessible, reproduced and sold in multiples, but they still represented a significant investment of time and skill. By focusing on the emotional intensity of this scene, Chodowiecki elevated a commercial medium to high art. It reminds us that even the most modest of objects can be imbued with profound meaning through the labor of making.