Rustende man in bos 1781 - 1822

This etching, Resting Man in Forest, was made by Hermanus Fock, probably in the late 18th or early 19th century. The image is made of a series of lines and dots cut into a metal plate, which is then inked and pressed onto paper. Notice the artist's hand in creating the textured areas of light and shadow. This laborious process stands in stark contrast to the subject of the print: a lone figure at leisure, a moment of quiet contemplation in nature. The skill of the printmaker, often overlooked, is integral to the work’s aesthetic. Etchings like this allowed for the wide distribution of images, making art accessible beyond the elite circles of painting or sculpture. Consider the many hours of labor involved in the creation of this scene versus the ease with which it could be reproduced.