Oude man met baard met de blik naar beneden gericht: driekwart, naar rechts 1798 - 1837

Ernst Willem Jan Bagelaar made this small etching of an old bearded man. The magic of etching lies in the way it captures light and shadow through line. Think of it: the artist covers a metal plate with a waxy ground, draws through it to expose the metal, and then immerses the whole thing in acid. The acid bites into the metal only where the drawing has been made, creating recessed lines. These lines then hold ink, which is transferred to paper under pressure. Bagelaar clearly knew how to work this medium. Look how the density of the etched lines defines the form, creating a play of dark and light that gives the image its melancholic mood. The very act of etching, with its reliance on craft and chemistry, imbues the artwork with a distinct social and cultural significance. It's a reminder that even the most seemingly straightforward image is the product of skillful labor. By emphasizing process, we move beyond merely seeing the image, and begin to understand the work.