Andreas Christian Hviids Gravminde 1801 - 1811

This print, Andreas Christian Hviids Gravminde, was made by Gerhard Ludvig Lahde, its date is unknown, and the medium is etching. Etching is an indirect process. The artist protects areas of a metal plate with a waxy, acid-resistant ground, then scratches an image into the surface with a needle. Next, acid is applied to 'bite' into the exposed metal. The longer the acid is left, the deeper the lines, and the darker they will appear when printed. The image on this print looks like a photorealistic drawing. Lahde has used a sharp needle to create incredibly precise, detailed marks. A print like this would be used for the purposes of documentation and record keeping. It represents hours of labor. Consider that the division between craft and fine art is a relatively recent one. In this context, printmaking served a vital social function.