The Quacksalver 1635

Rembrandt van Rijn made this print, "The Quacksalver," in 1635, using etching. This process involves drawing with a fine needle into a wax ground on a metal plate, which is then submerged in acid. The acid bites into the metal where the wax has been removed, creating recessed lines that hold ink. Rembrandt’s genius with this relatively simple technique is clear. The figure emerges from a welter of tightly hatched lines, which vary in depth and thickness to create areas of shadow and light. It is worth noting that printmaking was a democratic medium during this period, enabling an artist to reach a far wider audience than painting alone. The Quacksalver himself, a figure of dubious medical authority, becomes a metaphor for this situation. He promises much, but can he deliver? Similarly, a print can only ever be a representation of reality, yet it has the potential to circulate widely, reaching people from all walks of life. In this way, Rembrandt acknowledges the social implications of his own chosen medium.