Vogeljagers 1745

Carl Albert von Lespilliez made this print called ‘Vogeljagers’ using etching and engraving techniques. Look closely and you can see how the stark black lines define the forms and create a sense of depth. In printmaking, the artist meticulously incises lines onto a metal plate, in this case probably copper. Acid is then used to bite into the exposed lines, and after the plate is inked, it’s pressed onto paper, transferring the image. Engraving, with its precise lines, requires a steady hand and years of training. Think of the intense labor involved in creating such intricate details. The result is an image that reflects the values of precision and control, mirroring the structured society of its time. But there’s also a tension here, as the hunt depicted is a leisure activity of the privileged. Considering all the work that went into this print, it prompts us to think about the social context of its creation.