Boomgroep aan een meer in een bergachtig landschap 1652 - 1662

Giovanni Francesco Grimaldi made this landscape with trees, a lake, and mountains, using etching techniques. The process begins with a metal plate, coated with a waxy, acid-resistant substance. The artist then draws through this coating, exposing the metal. The plate is submerged in acid, which bites into the exposed lines, creating grooves. Look closely, and you can see how the material influences the image. The incised lines dictate the level of detail, the gradations of tone. The etching captures the natural scene, the foliage of the trees, and the distant mountains. It takes on a social significance when we consider the skilled traditions Grimaldi engaged with, like printmaking, which belongs to a history of creative practices alongside that of the fine arts. Consider the labor involved in the production process. These are not traditional art materials, but they are not industrial materials either. Grimaldi uses this process to represent the natural scene. Understanding the materials, making, and context is important to see the full meaning of an artwork, challenging traditional distinctions between fine art and craft.