Man slaat een mantel om een oude naakte man 1782

John B. Skippe created this etching, "Man Slaat een Mantel om een Oude Naakte Man," likely on paper, in 1782. The etching process begins with a metal plate covered in a waxy ground. The artist then scratches an image into the ground with a needle, exposing the metal. The plate is then immersed in acid, which bites into the exposed lines, creating grooves. Ink is applied to the plate, filling these grooves, and then the surface is wiped clean. Finally, the image is transferred to paper under high pressure in a printing press. Here, the intricate network of lines defines form, light, and shadow. The varying density and direction of the lines create a sense of depth, volume, and texture, conveying both the vulnerability of the old man and the younger man's compassion. The labor-intensive process of etching, with its meticulous scratching and careful printing, mirrors the act of care depicted in the image. Considering the material and process helps us understand the full meaning of the work, challenging traditional distinctions between fine art and craft.