Kong Frederik V modtages af kaveriofficerer uden for Kolding 1749

Poul Isac Grønvold made this print, "Kong Frederik V modtages af kaveriofficerer uden for Kolding", using etching, a chemical process that requires immense skill and patience. Here, a metal plate, most likely copper, is coated with a waxy, acid-resistant substance. The artist then scratches an image into the wax, exposing the metal underneath. The plate is submerged in acid, which bites into the exposed lines, creating grooves. The longer it soaks, the deeper the lines. Ink is then forced into these lines, the surface wiped clean, and the image transferred to paper under high pressure, creating a mirror image of the original design. The density of fine lines and cross-hatching visible here demonstrate Grønvold's mastery. The final print not only celebrates a royal visit, but also testifies to the skilled labor involved in its production. It reminds us that even seemingly straightforward images are underpinned by complex social and material processes. This challenges our assumptions about art, inviting us to appreciate both the subject and the means of its creation.