Reuk 1630 - 1654

This print, titled "Reuk", which translates to "Smell", was made by an anonymous artist, and exists as an etching on paper. The technique of etching begins with a metal plate covered in wax; the artist scratches a design into this coating, exposing the metal underneath. The plate is then immersed in acid, which bites into the exposed lines. The longer the acid bath, the deeper the lines, and the darker they will appear in the print. This labor-intensive process, requiring careful control of time and materials, allows for intricate detail and subtle tonal variations, as we can see in the textures of the woman’s dress, and the landscape in the background. Although the print appears to depict a scene of leisure, the very creation of it speaks to the economic and social structures of its time. The skilled labor of the etcher, the production of paper, and the distribution of the final print all depended on complex networks of trade and patronage. By understanding the print's materiality, we gain insight into the modes of production that underpinned its creation, blurring the lines between art and industry.