The Church Enthroned 1490 - 1536

Daniel Hopfer made "The Church Enthroned" using iron etching, a process which he pioneered around 1500. This intaglio printmaking technique involves covering an iron plate with a waxy ground, then drawing through it with a stylus to expose the metal. The plate is then immersed in acid, which bites into the exposed lines. The etched lines create a dense network of marks, defining the figures and throne. The iron plate, though robust, required considerable force to incise, resulting in a characteristically assertive, almost crude line. Hopfer exploits this quality, building form through hatching and cross-hatching, lending a sculptural weight to the composition. The final print is a testament to the labour-intensive process. Each impression pulled from the plate carries the mark of Hopfer's hand and eye, blurring the lines between the unique artwork and the reproducible image. Considering the material, making, and context gives us a richer understanding of the artistic achievements.