Hagedis op een steen 1878 - 1914

Theo van Hoytema created this etching, "Lizard on a Stone," using a metal plate, likely copper or zinc, and acid. The image is built up through thousands of tiny, precise etched lines. This intense labor gives the print an incredible density, a visual tapestry of botanical forms and the scaled texture of the lizard itself. The etching process involves coating a metal plate with a waxy, acid-resistant ground. The artist then scratches an image into the ground, exposing the metal. When the plate is submerged in acid, the exposed lines are eaten away, creating grooves that will hold ink. The plate is then inked, wiped clean, and pressed onto paper, transferring the image. Look closely, and you’ll notice the way Van Hoytema’s lines build up to create areas of shadow and detail. He has skillfully captured the rough texture of the stone, and the delicate skin of the lizard. By emphasizing the etched line, usually a means to an end, Van Hoytema brings the labor of printmaking to the forefront. This is an image that invites us to consider not just what is depicted, but how it was made.