Illustration nr. 4 til "L`Amour et Psyché" 1862

This illustration, made by Lorenz Frølich, probably in the late 19th century, employs etching, a printmaking technique using metal plates. The fineness of the lines and shading is achieved by drawing into a wax ground, then biting the exposed metal with acid. The etching process is labor-intensive, demanding skilled artistry to transfer images onto a reusable matrix. This particular print is infused with a romantic sensibility, but the medium itself speaks to broader social issues. Printmaking democratized images in the 19th century, making them available to a wider audience through mechanized production. Here, the amount of work invested in the production process contrasts with the image's themes of classical mythology. This blending of craft traditions with fine art aesthetics challenges traditional hierarchies. Appreciating the labor and materials transforms our understanding of this artwork, moving beyond the narrative to acknowledge its production context.