Twee kinderen bij een hagelkruis in het landschap 1824 - 1873

This print, by Lodewijk Juliaan Fuchs, shows two children near a wayside cross in a rural landscape. It’s made using etching, a printmaking technique dating back to the 16th century. The process involves coating a metal plate with a waxy, acid-resistant substance called a ground. The artist then draws through this ground with a sharp needle, exposing the metal. When the plate is immersed in acid, the exposed lines are “bitten,” creating recessed lines. Ink is then applied to the plate, filling these lines. Finally, the plate is pressed onto paper, transferring the image. Etching allows for fine detail and nuanced tonal variations. Look closely, and you’ll notice the delicate lines defining the trees and the soft shadows creating depth. The choice of this printmaking method speaks to a tradition of skilled craftsmanship and artistry. While mass production was transforming art in the 19th century, prints like this one retained a personal touch, made by hand through a complex sequence of steps.