De bevrijding van Petrus 1772

Johann Andreas Benjamin Nothnagel created this etching, ‘The Liberation of Peter,’ using a metal plate, acid, and ink. The stark contrast between light and shadow, achieved through the etching process, emphasizes the dramatic escape. Look closely, and you can see how the fine lines create texture and depth, defining the figures and their surroundings. The angel is bathed in light, achieved by sparing use of the etching needle, while the prison walls are densely marked, looming in the darkness. The etching process itself – a skilled, labor-intensive technique – mirrors the subject matter: a story of salvation through dedication. Nothnagel’s mastery of this craft underscores the transformative potential of human skill, and resonates with the miracle depicted. It reminds us that even within rigid systems, creative intervention can offer a path to freedom.