Ruiter laat zijn paard steigeren 1669 - 1717

Dirk Maas made this print of a rearing horse and rider, using etching. Look closely, and you’ll see that the image is built up from a network of fine lines. The etcher protects a copper plate with a coating, scratches an image into the coating, and then bathes the plate in acid, which bites away the exposed lines. It's then inked and printed. The real skill is controlling the depth of the line through timed immersion in the acid, and using hatching to create the impression of light and shadow. Etching was a relatively new technology at this time, valued for its capacity to communicate information widely. Consider the labor involved in producing this image. While etching allowed for multiples, each print still required individual attention. It was a craft in itself, demanding precision and a deep understanding of the materials. Appreciating the technical skill and labor enriches our understanding of the image, bridging the gap between the world of fine art and that of skilled artisans.