Four cherubs carrying a cross 1640 - 1652

This print, "Four Cherubs Carrying a Cross," was made in the 17th century by Wenceslaus Hollar, using the technique of etching. Etching involves coating a metal plate with a waxy ground, scratching an image into it, and then bathing the plate in acid. The acid bites away at the exposed metal, creating lines that will hold ink. This print shows us just how precise and controlled this process can be. Look at the delicate rendering of the cherubs’ plump bodies, the wisps of their hair, and the clouds that surround them. The real labor here is in Hollar’s meticulous work with the etching needle. By varying the pressure and density of the lines, he creates a full range of tones and textures. Prints like this were relatively inexpensive, allowing for the wide circulation of images. So, while it may appear worlds apart from our contemporary digital image culture, it's actually a distant ancestor.