Hondekop met halsband 1852

This 'Dog's Head with Collar', made by Jacobus Cornelis Gaal, is rendered in a printing technique called etching, using a metal plate and acid. The magic of etching lies in its capacity for fine detail. Gaal would have coated the plate with a waxy, acid-resistant ground, then scratched his composition into it with a needle. When the plate was dipped in acid, the exposed lines would bite into the metal. This process could be repeated for darker tones. The final print is a direct record of this labor, showing the unmistakable quality of line created by the artist's hand and the corrosive power of acid. Consider the way that the sharp lines create a sense of realism, capturing the texture of the dog's fur, the folds of skin, and the worn leather of the collar. This work challenges the traditional hierarchy between printmaking and painting, demonstrating how the skilled application of craft can achieve remarkable artistic effects.