Man op ezel gebonden 1630 - 1648

Cornelis de Wael created this image, Man op ezel gebonden, using etching, a printmaking technique. An etcher covers a metal plate with a waxy, acid-resistant ground. The artist then scratches an image into the ground with a pointed tool, exposing the metal. The plate is then submerged in acid, which bites into the exposed lines, creating grooves. These grooves hold ink, and the plate is then pressed onto paper, transferring the image. The varying line widths show us where de Wael applied different amounts of pressure, and time, to each stage of the printmaking process. De Wael’s image captures a scene that’s both strange and compelling, which speaks to broader social issues of punishment and public shaming. The labor involved in the etching process mirrors the laborious and potentially shameful act being depicted. Paying attention to materials, processes, and context helps us fully grasp this artwork's meaning, pushing us beyond traditional distinctions between fine art and craft.