Musicerend gezelschap 1739 - 1797

This print, Musicerend gezelschap, was made by Pierre François Basan in the 18th century using the technique of etching. Etching is an intaglio printmaking method, where the artist covers a metal plate with a waxy, acid-resistant ground, then scratches an image into the ground with a pointed tool. The plate is then immersed in acid, which bites into the exposed metal, creating lines. Ink is applied to the plate, filling the etched lines, and the surface is wiped clean. Finally, paper is pressed onto the plate, transferring the ink and creating the print. The tonal range and fine detail are achieved through careful control of the etching process, reflecting the artist's skill and labor. The image of the musicians, caught in a moment of jovial camaraderie, is imbued with a sense of everyday life, far removed from the grand narratives of the period's paintings. Considering the material and process helps us appreciate how prints like this brought art into the homes of a wider public, challenging traditional notions of what art could be.