Het bruggetje van Six 1791

Giuseppe Sardi made this etching, "The Bridge of Six," using metal, acid, and ink. The seemingly simple technique belies its complexity. Sardi would have coated a metal plate with a waxy, acid-resistant ground. Then, using a sharp needle, he scratched an image into the ground, exposing the metal beneath. The plate was then submerged in acid, which bit into the exposed lines. Ink was applied, filling the etched lines, and the surface wiped clean. Finally, the plate was pressed onto paper, transferring the image. The controlled degradation of the metal plate and the subsequent printing demanded careful skill. Look at the varying line weights, achieved by different levels of acid erosion. This wasn't just drawing; it was a deeply alchemical process, a skillful blend of craft, chemistry, and design, challenging our notions of traditional fine art.