Zinnebeeldige voorstelling van twee engelen 1831 - 1904

Arnoud Schaepkens created this image of two angels using etching, a printmaking process where lines are incised into a metal plate with acid. The fine, delicate lines that define the figures and forms are achieved by drawing through a protective coating on the plate, then bathing it in acid to bite away the exposed metal. This demanding process requires a high level of skill, controlling the depth and width of the lines through careful timing and acid concentration. The subtle gradations of tone and shading are created by varying the density and thickness of the etched lines. The resulting print, made by inking the plate and pressing it onto paper, carries a unique texture and depth impossible to replicate in other media. Schaepkens’ choice of etching speaks to its historical role in disseminating images and ideas, bridging the gap between original artwork and wider accessibility, all the while showcasing the artistic skill involved in the printmaking process. In the end, appreciating the labor-intensive process of etching allows us to see this image not just as a symbolic representation, but as a physical manifestation of artistic skill and dedication.