The Satyr and the Peasant 1764

This print, "The Satyr and the Peasant", was made in 1764 by Christian Wilhelm Ernst Dietrich using etching, a printmaking technique where lines are incised into a metal plate with acid to hold ink. The material qualities of this etching have strongly influenced the appearance of the artwork. The fine lines capture a domestic scene of peasants eating around a table. Dietrich skillfully uses the etching process to define forms and create a range of tonal values, from the deep shadows in the background to the delicate highlights on the figures. The contrast between light and dark adds depth and drama to the composition, enhancing the narrative. Dietrich was very interested in printmaking. He understood that reproducible images could reach a wide audience. "The Satyr and the Peasant" provides insight into the social dynamics of the time. By considering its making, we can appreciate how Dietrich blurred the lines between craft and fine art.