Vrouw met kind op schoot 1777 - 1779

Pieter de Mare created this etching, Vrouw met kind op schoot, using the printmaking technique of etching. Look closely, and you'll see that the image has a graphic quality, made up of many fine lines. The artist creates this by drawing into a waxy ground that coats a metal plate. The plate is then immersed in acid, which bites into the metal wherever it has been exposed. Ink is then applied to the etched lines and the plate is pressed onto paper. The beauty of etching lies in its capacity for detail and tonal variation. You can see the many tools strewn on the floor that allude to the amount of work involved in the production process. Yet the scene captured is one of intimacy. By understanding the materials, making, and context of this etching, we appreciate the skill involved and move beyond traditional distinctions between fine art and craft.