Frederik d. 6. på lit de parade 1825 - 1893

Balzer Dahl created this print of Frederik VI "lit de parade" using etching, a printmaking technique with a rich history. Etching involves using acid to cut into a metal plate, traditionally copper or zinc, to create a design. The plate is covered with a waxy ground, and the artist scratches the design into the ground, exposing the metal. The plate is then immersed in acid, which bites into the exposed lines, creating incised lines. Ink is applied to the plate, filling the etched lines, and the surface is wiped clean. Paper is then pressed onto the plate, transferring the ink and creating the print. The incised lines lend a crispness and precision to the image, ideal for capturing the solemnity of the scene. The material qualities – the hard metal, the corrosive acid, the absorbent paper – all contribute to the final artwork. The image and commemorative text below provided a method for disseminating imagery to the masses. This mode of inexpensive production allowed for a wide distribution to the public, offering a tangible symbol of remembrance. Considering the materials, making, and context allows for understanding the print's full meaning, challenging the distinction between fine art and craft.