Liefdespaar betrapt door een vrouw 1751 - 1816

Reinier Vinkeles made this etching, “Couple Caught by a Woman,” using metal, acid, and ink. The sharp, precise lines we see are a direct result of the etching process. Vinkeles would have coated a metal plate with a waxy, acid-resistant substance, then scratched his design through this coating. When the plate was submerged in acid, the exposed lines would be eaten away, creating grooves. Ink was then applied to the plate, filling these grooves, and the surface was wiped clean. Finally, the image would be transferred to paper under high pressure. The resulting print has a unique graphic quality. Look closely at how Vinkeles used hatching and cross-hatching to create areas of light and shadow, giving depth and volume to the figures. This print wasn't just about illustrating a scene; it was also about showcasing the possibilities of the etching medium itself. Appreciating this print means understanding the labor involved in its making, and its place within a broader history of printmaking as both craft and art.