Vijf rustende koeien 1630 - 1691

Aelbert Cuyp created this small etching of five resting cows. To create this image, Cuyp used a metal plate, likely copper, and various etching tools to create lines on the plate, which would hold ink and transfer the design onto paper. Look closely, and you'll see a series of lines and cross-hatching that give the cows their form. This is the process of etching, where the artist scratches through a protective coating on the plate, then bathes it in acid, which bites into the exposed metal. The depth of the lines determines how much ink they hold, and thus the darkness of the printed line. It's an indirect process that allows for fine detail. The material qualities – the smoothness of the copper, the sharpness of the etching needle, and the absorbency of the paper – all contribute to the final image. This printmaking technique allowed Cuyp to produce multiple copies of this intimate scene, making it accessible to a wider audience. Through these choices of material and process, Cuyp blurs the boundary between fine art and the wider world of production.