Reizigers leiden hun paarden langs een afgrond 1620 - 1664

Stefano della Bella made this print of travelers leading their horses along a precipice, using etching techniques. Etching involves coating a metal plate with a waxy, acid-resistant substance called a ground. The artist then scratches an image into the ground, exposing the metal beneath. When the plate is immersed in acid, the exposed lines are eaten away, creating grooves. These grooves hold ink, which is then transferred to paper under high pressure using a printing press. The etched lines have a fluid, spontaneous quality which captures the precariousness of the scene, and imbues the artwork with a sense of depth and atmosphere. Though seemingly simple, the etching process requires skill, time and labor, as well as expensive materials. In doing so, it elevates the status of the print from mere reproduction to a valued work of art in its own right. Considering the materials, making, and social context enhances our understanding of this artwork, transcending traditional distinctions between fine art and craft.