Halfnaakte man en vrouw 1779

This print, "Half-Naked Man and Woman," was made by Daniel Nikolaus Chodowiecki, sometime in the 18th century, using etching on paper. This process involves coating a metal plate with wax, scratching an image into the wax, and then bathing the plate in acid. The acid bites into the exposed metal, creating recessed lines that hold ink. Look closely at the image, and you’ll see that it's defined by a network of fine, precise lines, and cross-hatching. The process of etching is central to the character of the image, and was a favorite method of the artist. Chodowiecki was a prolific printmaker who made a living by producing images for a growing print market. In his day, printmaking wasn't just a way of reproducing existing images; it was a creative act in its own right. Artists like Chodowiecki made prints as a way to circulate new ideas and stories to a broad audience. So, the next time you look at a print, remember that it is an object that reflects the social and economic conditions of its time. It challenges traditional notions of fine art.