Vrouw met kinderen 1823 - 1894

This is "Vrouw met kinderen" by Charles Jacque, made using etching, a printmaking process with a long and fascinating history. The image is created by drawing into a waxy ground on a metal plate, which is then exposed to acid. The acid bites into the metal where the ground has been removed, creating recessed lines. Ink is then applied to the plate, filling these lines, and the surface is wiped clean. Finally, the plate is pressed onto paper, transferring the ink and creating the print. Etching allowed for relatively easy reproduction, making images accessible to a wider audience. The lines in Jacque's print are delicate but confident, capturing a domestic scene with a sense of intimacy. Consider the labor involved, the skilled hand of the artist guiding the etching needle, the precise timing of the acid bath, and the careful inking and printing. This isn't just an image; it's a record of a process, a collaboration between artist, material, and technique. By attending to the ways in which things are made, we can understand their significance, their inherent value.