Stribolts gård i Middelfart 1749

Poul Isac Grønvold made this print of Stribolts gård in Middelfart sometime in the 18th century. As an etching, its creation began with a metal plate, likely copper or zinc, covered in a waxy ground. The artist would have then used a sharp needle to draw through this ground, exposing the metal beneath. The plate was then submerged in acid, which bit into the exposed lines, creating grooves. After removing the ground, ink was applied, filling these grooves, and the surface wiped clean. Finally, under great pressure, the image was transferred to paper, resulting in the print you see. Etching, unlike the immediacy of drawing, demands a careful, staged process. Each line is a deliberate act, a testament to the artist’s vision and skill. The social context here is clear: a record of a specific place and time, made possible by a complex interplay of materials, techniques, and labor. It serves as a reminder that every artwork, no matter how seemingly simple, is the product of countless hands and processes.