Rustende jagers 1867 - 1874

Adolf Carel Nunnink created this print, "Resting Hunters," using etching and engraving techniques. These processes involve working directly on a metal plate, incising lines that hold ink. Look closely, and you can see how the etched lines create the dark, velvety shadows under the tree, contrasting with the finer, engraved details bringing forward the figures of the hunters. The matrix is built up through labor; etching and engraving require careful planning and skilled execution. Each mark contributes to the tonal range and overall composition. In Nunnink's time, prints like this were widely circulated, making art accessible beyond the elite. The image of the resting hunters speaks to a specific social context, where leisure and the natural world were increasingly valued. By understanding the materials and processes behind this print, we can appreciate how it reflects both artistic skill and the broader culture of its time, blurring the lines between art, craft, and social history.