Twee voorstellingen uit Clarissa van Samuel Richardson 1795

Daniel Nikolaus Chodowiecki made these two illustrations from Samuel Richardson's novel 'Clarissa' using etching. The lines etched into the metal plate determine the appearance of the print. Chodowiecki would have used a sharp needle-like tool to draw through a waxy coating, exposing the metal. The plate was then submerged in acid, which bit into the exposed lines. This is a skilled, labor-intensive process. The fineness of the etched lines allows for intricate detail, such as the delicate rendering of fabrics and faces. Prints like these were part of a burgeoning visual culture. Etchings could be reproduced and distributed widely, making art accessible to a broader audience. They bring the tale of Clarissa to life for a public newly empowered by print. Paying attention to materials, making, and context helps us appreciate how prints operate within social and artistic worlds.