Entrata nel bosco di Marino 1792

Jacob Wilhelm Mechau made this print, Entrata nel bosco di Marino, using etching techniques. The image is made up of finely inscribed lines that describe the tonal variation of a landscape. Mechau’s technique involved applying a waxy ground to a metal plate, then drawing through it with a sharp needle to expose the metal. When the plate was immersed in acid, the exposed lines were etched, creating grooves. The plate was then inked, wiped clean, and pressed onto paper, transferring the image. The matrix of hatched lines gives the work its unique texture, which allows for the illusion of depth. This method of production allowed for multiples, so it was a commercial enterprise as well as an artistic one. The amount of hand work involved in preparing the plate demonstrates a commitment to skilled craft, even within a system that allowed for a wider distribution of images. This tension between hand-making and mechanical reproduction is a central characteristic of printmaking. It invites us to think about the distinctions between craft and fine art.