Hert aangevallen door twee wolven 1640 - 1703

This is “Deer Attacked by Two Wolves” by Carl Borromäus Andreas Ruthart, made using etching in the 17th century. Look closely, and you can see how the artist has used dense cross-hatching to create areas of deep shadow, and delicate lines to suggest the animals’ fur. The intensity of the scene is heightened by the stark contrast between light and dark, typical of the etching process. This image, like many prints of the period, was made using a copper plate. The artist would have covered the plate with a waxy, acid-resistant ground, drawn the design with a sharp needle, and then immersed the plate in acid. The acid bites into the exposed lines, creating grooves that hold the ink. The plate could then be inked, wiped clean, and pressed against a sheet of paper. What's so fascinating about prints is that this process could be repeated many times, making images like this widely available. In a way, it's an early form of mass production, bringing art to a broader audience.