Staande vrouw met rijzweep 1832 - 1902

Karel Frederik Bombled created this image of a standing woman with a riding crop using etching, a printmaking technique, sometime in the 19th century. The beauty of an etching lies in its lines, achieved through a labor-intensive process. The artist covers a metal plate with a waxy, acid-resistant layer, then scratches an image into the wax, exposing the metal beneath. When dipped in acid, the exposed lines are eaten away, creating grooves. The deeper the bite, the darker the line will appear. This plate is then inked, and the surface wiped clean, leaving ink only in the etched lines. Finally, damp paper is pressed against the plate, transferring the image. Notice the subtle details achieved through this method: the delicate rendering of the woman’s dress, the texture of her jacket, the shading of her face. Consider the amount of time and skill required to create such a nuanced image. This speaks to the value placed on craftsmanship and detail in the 19th century, reflecting a society where the handmade was still highly prized, even as industrialization advanced. This etching reminds us that even seemingly simple images can be imbued with layers of meaning through their making.