Moeder met kind 1744 - 1781

Jean-Baptist Leprince created this print, "Moeder met kind," using etching, a chemical process to make marks on a metal plate that will hold ink. The printmaking process is quite interesting. First, the metal plate is coated with a waxy, acid-resistant substance. The artist then scratches the design into this coating, exposing the metal. When acid is applied, it bites into the exposed lines, creating grooves. The plate is then inked, and the surface wiped clean, leaving ink only in the etched lines. Finally, the plate is pressed onto paper, transferring the image. Printmaking was a mechanizable art, allowing for multiple impressions to be made and distributed to a wide market. In the 18th century, prints were important vectors for new aesthetic ideas. Leprince was not only an artist but also an entrepreneur, so he no doubt appreciated this aspect of the medium. This artwork blurs the distinction between high art and commercial craft.