Zieke man c. 1836 - 1876

Carel Christiaan Antony Last created this print, titled ‘Sick Man,’ using etching; a printing process where lines are incised into a metal plate with acid, then filled with ink to transfer the image onto paper. Etching is a process which demands skill and precision, but allows for the relatively easy production of multiple images. Last’s choice of etching is important to note, because prints like this one were usually satirical and intended for broad circulation. The imagery, showing a sick man surrounded by chaotic scenes of drinking, fighting, and revelry, suggests moral decay and the loss of self-control. The quality of line in the print is sharp and controlled, achieving a wealth of detail. Last uses these linear details to present this work as a social commentary. He questions the cost of indulgence, and hinting at a society struggling with its own excesses. This work challenges us to consider the relationship between materials, making, and social context in understanding its full meaning.