Oude en jonge man Possibly 1659 - 1740

This print, “Oude en jonge man,” was made in the late 17th century by Jan van der Bruggen, using etching. This is an intaglio process, where acid is used to bite lines into a metal plate, which is then inked and printed. Look closely and you can see the marks left by this process. The material qualities of the print - its monochrome palette and delicate lines - convey a sense of intimacy. The image shows an old man with a staff, perhaps a beggar, with a younger accomplice behind him holding a small pot. Bruggen has imbued the artwork with social significance, representing the lives of those on the margins of Dutch society. The labor involved in producing the print - from preparing the plate to pulling each impression - speaks to the work ethic prevalent in the Dutch Golden Age. It is important to consider the material processes, and their social context when interpreting this image. By doing so, we challenge the traditional hierarchy of the arts, appreciating the skill and meaning embedded in what might otherwise be seen as a minor work on paper.