To måger, der æder en fisk 1885

Axel Helsted made this etching, Two Seagulls Eating a Fish, using a metal plate to create the image. An etching is made by covering a metal plate with a waxy, acid-resistant substance, and then scratching the image into that coating. The plate is then immersed in acid, which bites into the metal where it has been exposed. After this, the plate is inked and then pressed onto paper, creating the print. This process allows for fine, detailed lines, as we can see in the seagulls’ feathers and the scales of the fish. Helsted's skill as an etcher is clear when you observe how he captured the texture and form, the tones of light and shadow of the scene. This printmaking technique, while capable of mass production, requires a high level of craft and precision. Considering the labor involved in creating the plate and the final print invites us to think about the value we place on both natural resources and skilled craftsmanship.