Lichamelijke oefeningen; schaatsen 1806

This print, "Lichamelijke oefeningen; schaatsen" was made by Daniël Veelwaard in the Netherlands, using etching. The fine lines of the print are a direct result of the etching process, where the artist would have used a sharp needle to draw into a waxy ground on a metal plate, before submerging it in acid. This essentially automates the drawing process. The acid bites into the metal wherever the needle has exposed it, creating incised lines that hold ink. This process is repeated for each print made. The print depicts figures demonstrating the art of skating, showing not just the posture of the skater, but also the patterns that they can make on the ice. These are elegant, decorative gestures that transform labor into leisure. Consider the labor involved in the printing of the images itself. The many impressions speak to a growing market for images, fueled by both technological advances and the tastes of a rising middle class. By considering the materials and processes behind this print, we can appreciate how technology shaped both its aesthetic and social significance.