Jonge vrouw loopt van een trap waarnaast een man en vrouw zitten 1850 - 1925

Guillaume Joseph Vertommen made this print of an interior scene using etching, a printmaking technique that dates back to the Middle Ages. The process involves covering a metal plate with a waxy, acid-resistant substance. The artist then scratches an image into this coating, exposing the metal beneath. When the plate is submerged in acid, the exposed lines are eaten away, creating grooves. These grooves hold ink, which is then transferred to paper under high pressure, resulting in the print we see. The quality of the etched line—its depth, width, and texture—depends on factors like the strength of the acid, the amount of time the plate is exposed, and the pressure exerted during printing. In this print, Vertommen skillfully uses these variables to create subtle tonal variations and textures. The scene is infused with a sense of depth and atmosphere, a testament to Vertommen’s mastery of this intricate, laborious process. Considering these material and social factors allows us to appreciate the full complexity of Vertommen’s print.