Stekelvarken, dassen, marters en andere dieren 1581 - 1600

This print of a porcupine, badgers, martens and other animals was made anonymously, using the technique of etching. Look closely and you can see how the etcher's art lies in mark-making. The artist would have coated a metal plate with wax, and then used a fine needle to scratch away the areas that would hold ink. The plate was then immersed in acid, which bit into the exposed metal, creating delicate lines. The finished plate would then be inked and pressed onto paper, creating the image we see here. The etcher's skill is evident in the varying line weights used to describe the textures of fur and quills. Consider the time and labour involved in rendering such detail, line by line. The artist’s decision to use etching, rather than the more established technique of engraving, suggests a desire for immediacy and spontaneity. By attending to the material processes behind this print, we can appreciate the craft involved. This challenges the traditional hierarchy between so-called fine art and craft, inviting us to see this image as both a work of art and a testament to skilled making.