Buste van een oosterse man 1648 - 1678

Samuel van Hoogstraten created this tiny etching, “Buste van een oosterse man”, using the printmaking technique of etching. Here, a metal plate would have been covered with a waxy, protective layer, into which the design was carefully scratched. The plate was then submerged in acid, which bit into the exposed lines, leaving an incised image. The plate is inked, the surface wiped clean, and then it is pressed onto paper to reveal the print. The dense network of fine lines creates a rich range of tones. The character’s elaborate turban and beard are beautifully described using the etching process, giving a sense of texture and form to the figure. While seemingly simple, the print involved skilled labor. The whole process, from preparing the plate to pulling the final print, required meticulous care and attention. So next time you see a print, consider not just the image, but the labor and skill involved in its making, and how these material processes imbue the artwork with cultural significance.