Jagers vangen een das bij zijn hol in de nacht 1729

This print, "Hunters Catching a Badger at its Burrow at Night," was made by Johann Elias Ridinger, likely in the first half of the 18th century. It's an etching, a printmaking technique involving scratching into a wax-coated metal plate, applying acid to bite the lines, and then inking and printing the image. The material and process here are crucial. Etching allowed for detailed lines and tonal variations, essential for capturing the drama of the nocturnal hunt. Consider the labour involved: preparing the plate, meticulously etching the design, and the printing process itself. Ridinger was a master of animal studies, and his skill in rendering texture is evident in the fur of the badger and the rough bark of the trees. Prints like these served various purposes – scientific illustration, documentation, and even as decorative elements in homes. They catered to a growing market for accessible art, and were part of the wider landscape of printmaking which made images available to a broader public. This print offers a glimpse into the material culture and hunting practices of the period, reminding us that art is always embedded in social and economic contexts.