Honingbij en de hen 1778 - 1785

This print, "Honingbij en de hen" (Honeybee and the Hen) was created by Noach van der Meer II in the late 18th century. It's an etching, meaning the design was incised into a metal plate, likely copper, with a sharp tool called a burin or needle. Ink was then applied to the plate, and the surface wiped clean, leaving ink only in the incised lines. Finally, paper was pressed against the plate, transferring the image. The technique lends itself to fine detail, which you can see in the delicate rendering of the leaves, feathers and garden architecture. Etching was a popular method for reproducing images at this time, allowing for the wide dissemination of visual information. This print, with its fable-like subject, reflects the era’s interest in moralizing stories. The labor involved in producing these prints was considerable, requiring skilled craftsmanship, which in turn affected the value attributed to them. Considering the print through the lens of its making helps us appreciate the artistry and labor embedded in this seemingly simple image.