Riding School and Horses 1806

Johann Adolph Darnstedt created this print, "Riding School and Horses," using etching, a process rooted in craft and chemistry. The image is made by covering a metal plate with a waxy, acid-resistant layer. The artist then scratches through this layer, exposing the metal. When acid is applied, it bites into the exposed lines, creating grooves. Ink is then applied to the plate, filling these grooves, and the surface is wiped clean. When the plate is pressed onto paper, the ink transfers, creating the image we see. The fine, precise lines achieved through etching allow Darnstedt to capture the musculature of the horses and the texture of their harnesses, detailing a scene of equestrian life. The labor-intensive process reflects a pre-industrial approach to image-making, where the artist's skill and time were directly invested in each print. This piece invites us to consider the value of skilled handwork in a world increasingly dominated by mass production.