Geld tellende man 1878

Jules Worms created this image, "Geld tellende man," which translates to "Man Counting Money," using etching techniques. The medium of etching greatly influences the visual weight and tone of the artwork. Worms carefully manipulated the metal plate to create fine lines and shading, giving the image a detailed, almost photographic quality. The process involves coating a metal plate with a waxy, acid-resistant substance, drawing the image into the wax, and then immersing the plate in acid. The acid bites into the metal where the wax has been removed, creating incised lines that hold ink. This process has imbued the artwork with social significance, mirroring the detailed labor involved in accumulating and managing wealth, the subject of the piece. In this print, Worms engages with the tradition of genre painting, depicting everyday life and the common man. The meticulous process reflects the labor and precision involved in both art-making and financial transactions. By focusing on these processes, we can begin to understand the social context of the work.