Interieur met drie figuren die met elkaar in gesprek zijn 1847 - 1889

This print, Interior with Three Figures Conversing, was made by William Unger in the 19th century using etching. Etching involves drawing with a sharp needle through a waxy ground applied to a metal plate. When the plate is dipped in acid, the exposed lines are bitten into the surface, and the depth of the lines determine how much ink they will hold. Here, Unger has controlled this process with great skill, creating deep blacks and subtle greys. Unger was known for his reproductive prints – that is, prints made after paintings. These allowed artworks to circulate widely in an era before photography. But such skill-intensive work also suggests the great labor required to create and disseminate images. This etching is not just a picture, but a testament to the work and social conditions behind its creation.