Drie mannen aan tafel roken en drinken 1772

Leendert Brasser made this etching of three men drinking and smoking at a table, sometime in the 18th century. Etching is an intaglio printmaking technique, where a metal plate is coated with a waxy, acid-resistant material called the ground. The artist then scratches into this ground with a pointed tool, exposing the metal. When the plate is immersed in acid, the exposed lines are etched into the metal. The longer the plate is exposed to the acid, the deeper the lines become, allowing for a range of tones and textures in the final print. It's an indirect process - the artist never directly cuts into the plate, but instead uses acid to do the work. The result is a loose, informal style that suits the subject matter perfectly. Brasser is showing us a moment of relaxation, of letting loose, and the etching technique mirrors that. The casual lines and unpretentious imagery speak to the democratizing power of printmaking, making art accessible to a wider audience, far beyond the elite. This etching reminds us that art can be found in everyday life, and that the materials and processes used to create it are just as important as the subject matter itself.