Altaar met twee ramskoppen 1651 - 1693

Johann Franz Ermels the Elder created this etching of an altar with two rams' heads. The design has been etched into a metal plate with acid, then inked and pressed onto paper. The image is defined by the linear quality of the etched lines, varying in thickness to create shadow and texture. The choice of etching, as opposed to other printing techniques like woodcut, allowed for fine detail, and a sense of depth. This captures the weathered texture of the stone altar, adorned with rams' heads and a Latin inscription which translates to "Hostile Power." The image has been deliberately distressed, to hint at the passage of time and the vulnerability of human endeavor. Etchings like this were often made to be reproduced and distributed, contributing to a broader visual culture. They democratized access to imagery, moving away from the unique and expensive painted artwork. Looking closely at the etched lines invites us to consider the labor and skill involved in its production, reminding us that even seemingly simple images carry layers of meaning and making.