Italiensk Genrebillede 1875

This small print, Italiensk Genrebillede, was made by an anonymous artist using etching, a printmaking technique that allows for detailed linework. Here, the artist has created a scene of everyday life. The process begins with a metal plate, usually copper, coated with a waxy, acid-resistant substance. The artist scratches an image into this coating, exposing the metal beneath. When the plate is submerged in acid, the exposed lines are bitten, creating grooves. Ink is then applied to the plate, filling these grooves, and the surface is wiped clean. Finally, the plate is pressed onto paper, transferring the inked image. The resulting print has a distinctive texture, with slightly raised lines where the ink sits. This technique allows for the reproduction of images, but each print retains the unique character of the etched plate. The image hints at the hard work of rural life, and the production of such a print relies on its own form of labor. By focusing on the materials and processes behind it, we can appreciate how its social context influences this work.