Lachende jongen met een emmer vis 1698 - 1776

Johannes de Groot made this print, Lachende jongen met een emmer vis, using etching, a process of incising lines into a metal plate with acid, to hold ink. As you can see in the image, de Groot uses the etching technique to describe the texture of skin, hair, and fabric, all rendered with subtle tonal variation. Look closely and you’ll see how the composition emphasizes the figure's active engagement, as he grins with eyes wide open, as he presents the viewer with the ‘emmer vis’ from which the work derives its title. The emphasis here is on observation and careful rendering. The etcher must develop a fluency with the tools and materials, and a deep understanding of the process to effectively translate the essence of the subject matter onto the print. By understanding the labor, material, and techniques, we gain a richer insight into the image and its historical and cultural context. This approach broadens the boundaries of traditional art history by including elements of craft, design, and materiality.