Vignet met Amor die pijl schiet met boog 1766 - 1831

This tiny print, "Vignet met Amor die pijl schiet met boog," was made by Willem Bilderdijk. We don't know exactly when it was created, but we do know that Bilderdijk lived from 1756 to 1831. The image was made using etching, a printmaking technique with a long history. The process involves coating a metal plate with a waxy, acid-resistant substance, then scratching an image into the wax. When the plate is submerged in acid, the exposed lines are eaten away, creating grooves. The plate is then inked, and the surface wiped clean, leaving ink only in the etched lines. Finally, paper is pressed against the plate, transferring the image. In Bilderdijk’s time, etching was a key method for circulating images widely, effectively democratizing art. Here we see the god of love rendered with deceptive ease, but it took skill and time to make. Next time you encounter a print, consider its role in disseminating visual information, connecting artistry with a broader audience.