Herderin op een ezel 18th century

This print, "Herderin op een ezel," or "Shepherdess on a Donkey," was made by an anonymous artist using etching, a process that democratized image-making. Etching involves coating a metal plate with a waxy, acid-resistant substance, then scratching an image into it. The plate is then bathed in acid, which bites away the exposed lines. The deeper the bite, the darker the line will appear. The resulting print, created by pressing the plate onto paper, possesses a distinct textural quality. Look closely, and you'll see that the image is built up through a network of fine lines. The efficiency of etching allowed for images to be reproduced and disseminated widely, creating a visual vocabulary that spoke to a growing public sphere and a growing culture of consumption. This print provides a glimpse into the pastoral life and labor of the time. It shows that even simple prints on paper carry a wealth of cultural and historical significance.