Oude boerin in de keuken 1884

Léon Brunin created this etching, “Old farmer woman in the kitchen,” using a copper plate and etching tools. Unlike drawing directly on paper, etching allows for incredibly fine and detailed lines through a chemical process. Brunin would have coated a copper plate with a waxy, acid-resistant substance, then scratched his design into the wax, exposing the metal. The plate was then submerged in acid, which bit into the exposed lines, creating grooves. The deeper the bite, the more ink it would hold. After removing the wax, Brunin would have inked the plate, wiped the surface clean, leaving ink only in the etched lines, and then pressed the plate onto paper. The resulting print, with its incredible detail and tonal range, speaks to the laborious process of creating an image, in contrast to the immediacy of a drawing or painting. The subject, an old woman in a humble kitchen, is also telling. The artwork elevates an everyday scene to a work of art. It also invites us to consider the labor involved in producing food, maintaining a home, and the lives of those who often go unseen. By focusing on the materials, making, and context, we gain a deeper appreciation for Brunin’s intent and skill, challenging the traditional distinctions between fine art and craft.