Oude man met baard en kap zit met gevouwen handen op een bidstoel 1892

This is an etching made by Willem Geets, a 19th century Belgian artist. The printmaking process is fascinating. The artist would have covered a metal plate with a waxy, acid-resistant ground, and then scratched an image into that surface. Acid would then bite into the exposed metal, leaving behind incised lines. These would then hold ink, ready to be transferred to paper. Look closely, and you'll see the extraordinary detail Geets was able to achieve with this method. The textures of the man’s face, the folds of his gown, and the somber skull in the background are all exquisitely rendered. The lines create a sense of depth and shadow, enhancing the mood of quiet contemplation. Printmaking was closely tied to the rise of industrial capitalism, making art and information accessible to a wider audience. This print demonstrates that, even when multiplied, such images could still be a testament to the maker’s skill. And the expressive potential of process.