Drie opzij kijkende koppen van een vrouw en twee mannen 1747 - 1806

Rudolf Füssli made this print of three heads using etching, sometime in the late 18th century. The essence of etching lies in the controlled corrosion of a metal plate, usually copper or zinc. The plate is first coated with a waxy, acid-resistant substance known as the ground, then the artist draws through it with a sharp needle, exposing the metal beneath. When the plate is immersed in acid, the exposed lines are eaten away, creating grooves. These are then filled with ink, the surface wiped clean, and the image transferred to paper under high pressure. This print is small, but it presents a world of skill, where each line counts. It is very different from freehand drawing - etching requires careful planning, both in terms of the composition, and how the image will finally appear. Understanding the labor and technical knowledge that lies behind this print, is key to understanding the work itself.