Leeuwin valt een everzwijn aan Possibly 1772

This print of a lion attacking a wild boar was made by Richard Earlom, probably in the 1770s, using a technique called mezzotint. Mezzotint is a painstaking process. The entire surface of a copper plate is roughened using a tool called a rocker, creating thousands of tiny burrs that would hold ink. If printed at this stage, it would produce a solid black image. The artist then works back into this surface with scrapers and burnishers to selectively smooth out areas, creating lighter tones. The more the surface is smoothed, the less ink it holds, resulting in shades of grey and white. Earlom was a master of this labor-intensive technique, which allowed for subtle gradations of tone and a velvety texture, perfect for depicting the drama of the hunt. The final print, made through the skillful manipulation of the metal plate, shows a very dynamic scene. Considering the amount of physical labor and skill involved in mezzotint, it's important to appreciate these prints not just for their imagery, but also for the process by which they were brought to life. This print reminds us of the value we can find when we look closely at materials and techniques.