Vrouw in het zwart, staand bij een schrijftafel 1889

Jean Baptiste Coene created this print, "Vrouw in het zwart, staand bij een schrijftafel," using etching, a printmaking technique. An etcher covers a metal plate with a waxy ground, then scratches an image into the ground with a pointed tool. The plate is then immersed in acid, which bites into the metal where exposed. The etched lines create an image of intricate detail and subtle tonal variation. The qualities of the lines determine the appearance of the image. Here, we see delicate lines that create the textures of the woman's dress, hair, and facial features. It’s a labor-intensive process, requiring a high degree of skill and control to achieve the desired effect. But there's more to it than just technique. Etching was a favored medium of artists seeking a wider audience. Prints like this one could be produced relatively quickly and in large numbers, democratizing art and making it accessible to a broader public. It moves art from unique and valuable object to a reproducible image, and it did so within the context of emerging industrialization and increased consumerism.