Kop van een smoushond 1896

Auguste Danse made this etching of a ‘Smoushond’ dog, but we don’t know exactly when. An etching is a printmaking technique that relies on corrosive acid to create a design in metal. The plate would first have been covered with wax, then scratched through with a needle to expose the metal. Immersed in acid, these lines are then eaten away. This process allows for fine, detailed work, as we can see in the dog’s shaggy fur. Look closely, and you’ll see how the etched lines vary in thickness and depth, creating a rich texture and tonal range. This is a craft that requires careful labor, a collaboration between the artist's hand, and the unpredictable behavior of acid. The appeal of printmaking lies in its reproducibility, allowing images to circulate widely. This aligned with the rise of a modern consumer culture, where images and information became more accessible than ever before. This simple image speaks volumes about craft, labor, and the democratization of art in the modern era.