Huilend kind 1768 - 1796

Pieter de Mare created this etching, “Huilend kind”, which translates to “Crying Child”, sometime in the late 18th century. The etching process itself is fascinating: the artist coats a metal plate with wax, then scratches an image into it. The plate is then submerged in acid, which bites into the exposed lines. When the wax is removed, the plate is inked and printed. The close looking demanded by etching seems quite appropriate to the subject. The tightly packed lines create areas of shading that emphasize the child's distress. Look closely, and you can see the precision of the etched lines, capturing every wrinkle and crease. The artist’s skill transforms a common emotional display into something quite poignant, inviting us to consider the child's experience. Understanding the labor-intensive process behind etching gives us a deeper appreciation for this image and how it captures the human experience.