Geldteller 1698 - 1776

This etching, "Geldteller" or "Money Counter", was created by Johannes de Groot II in the late 17th or 18th century using etching. Etching involves coating a metal plate with wax, scratching an image into the wax, and then immersing the plate in acid, which bites away the exposed metal, leaving behind incised lines that hold ink. The resulting print captures the image of a man meticulously counting coins, the lines of the etching carefully delineating his focused expression and the texture of his clothing. The act of counting money depicted here is laden with social context. The skilled labor of the artist translates into a commodity, a print offered for sale. And the depicted figure, absorbed in his task, embodies the rise of commerce and the increasing importance of money in everyday life. By understanding the materials and processes behind this seemingly simple image, we gain insight into the economic realities of the time. It reminds us that art is not created in a vacuum but is deeply intertwined with labor, trade, and social values.