Borstbeeld van een oude man met witte baard 1778 - 1838

This etching of an old man with a white beard was created by Anthonie van den Bos, likely in the late 18th or early 19th century. The artist used the etching technique to produce the print. This involves covering a metal plate with a waxy, acid-resistant substance, then scratching an image into it. The plate is then immersed in acid, which bites into the exposed metal, creating lines. Ink is then applied to the plate, filling the etched lines, and the surface is wiped clean. Finally, the plate is pressed onto paper, transferring the ink and creating the print. The lines in the image have a remarkable fineness, with many directions and textures; the cumulative effect is like observing the man himself. It is not a unique object like a painting or sculpture, but one of many, made through an intensive process of labor and skill. This piece reminds us to consider the social and economic contexts in which art is produced, challenging traditional notions of artistic genius.