Aften ved Sorø 1891

Axel Schovelin created "Aften ved Sorø" using etching, a printmaking technique with a rich social history. The process begins with a metal plate, traditionally copper or zinc, coated with a waxy, acid-resistant substance. The artist then draws through this coating with a sharp needle, exposing the metal beneath. The plate is then immersed in acid, which bites into the exposed lines, creating grooves. Ink is applied to the plate, filling these grooves, and the surface is wiped clean. Finally, the plate is pressed onto paper, transferring the ink and creating the image. The fine lines and subtle gradations of tone in "Aften ved Sorø" reveal Schovelin's mastery of this technique. This painstaking process, requiring skill and time, stands in contrast to the increasing industrialization of the late 19th century. Etching, while capable of producing multiple prints, still retained a connection to the hand of the artist, a mark of individual labor in an era of mass production. Appreciating the labor-intensive nature of etching allows us to see beyond the image itself and recognize the value placed on skilled craftsmanship.