Lovers in a Thunderstorm

"Lovers in a Thunderstorm" was etched by Daniel Nikolaus Chodowiecki, likely in the late 18th century. As an etcher, Chodowiecki would have worked meticulously, coating a copper plate with wax, then drawing through it with a fine needle to expose the metal. The plate was then submerged in acid, which bit into the exposed lines, creating grooves that would hold ink. Consider the labor involved: the careful preparation of the plate, the precise drawing, and the controlled chemical process. The resulting print, a multiple, made images more accessible to a wider audience. Chodowiecki was very interested in the everyday, and that’s evident here. The naturalistic, romantic scene speaks to a burgeoning middle class, who had the time for leisure and a taste for sentimentality. Though not unique to the fine arts, etching processes played a critical role in disseminating knowledge, fashion, and political ideas. By understanding its making and context, we appreciate how this intimate print bridges the gap between craft and fine art.