Wapentrofee 1820

This engraving, "Wapentrofee", was made by Charles Pierre Joseph Normand sometime before 1840, using the incisive technique of etching. Normand has depicted an array of military spoils, presumably taken from the Colonna Trajane, with delicate lines etched onto a metal plate. The process of etching involves coating a metal plate with a waxy, acid-resistant substance, and then using a needle to scratch away the coating. This process exposes the metal beneath. The plate is then dipped in acid, which bites into the exposed metal, creating recessed lines. These are then filled with ink. The plate is pressed onto paper to transfer the image. Normand’s skill in etching allows us to consider the labor and craftsmanship involved in the creation of such images. The tools, the skilled hands, and the time required to produce the print, all speak to the broader social and economic context of its creation. It’s important to remember that materials, making, and context are all key to understanding the full meaning of any work of art.