Familie Nothanker uit huis gezet 1773

Daniel Nikolaus Chodowiecki made this print, "Familie Nothanker uit huis gezet," using etching, a printmaking technique that democratized image production. A copper plate would have been coated, then scratched into with a needle, and finally dipped in acid to bite away the exposed lines. The fineness of line apparent here speaks to the artist’s skill, but also to the mechanical advantages of printmaking. Each impression is identical, and could be sold relatively cheaply. Consider how this materially differs from a unique painting, available only to a single wealthy patron. This image, depicting a family being evicted by armed guards, points to the social function of printmaking. It was an ideal medium for circulating political and moral commentary. It is no coincidence that as the Industrial Revolution progressed, and capitalism began to take hold, printed images became a dominant visual form. This artwork shows the rise of more accessible ways to produce images, and reminds us that making is always about social context.