Rustende figuren aan de kust 1835 - 1908

Giovanni Fattori created this etching, "Resting Figures on the Coast," using metal, acid, and ink. The etching process involves coating a metal plate with a waxy, protective layer, drawing into this layer to expose the metal, then using acid to bite away at the exposed areas. The plate is then inked, and the ink is wiped away from the surface, remaining only in the etched lines. Finally, the plate is pressed onto paper, transferring the image. Here, the cross-hatched lines create a scene full of subtle tones. The lines almost seem to mimic the rough texture of the coastal landscape, making the figures blend in with the environment. The soft, almost blurry quality adds to the overall sense of rest and contemplation. The labor-intensive etching process contrasts with the artwork’s subject matter, that invites us to think about how the artist's work of production relates to scenes of leisure and labor by the coast, emphasizing that materials, making, and context are essential to understanding the work.