Erasmus Montanus beviser, at Per Degn er en hane 1865 - 1873

This etching by Wilhelm Marstrand captures a scene with ink on paper. The process of etching, in which lines are incised into a metal plate with acid, is labor-intensive. The tight linework creates detailed textures and tonal variations that bring the characters and setting to life, and its social context. It is a reproduction process, allowing for the distribution of images, making art more accessible beyond the elite circles who commissioned paintings. The print medium itself is deeply embedded in the social and intellectual currents of its time. The image shows the philosopher Erasmus Montanus, of Ludvig Holberg's play, as he proves that Per Degn is a rooster. By focusing on the material and processes involved in its creation, and the context in which it was made, we gain a deeper understanding of this print's cultural significance, challenging traditional notions of art-historical value.