Eekhoorn met hazelnoot 1884

This print, titled “Squirrel with Hazelnut”, was made by H. Berthier, using a process called etching. The image begins as a polished metal plate, likely copper or zinc. The artist covers it with a waxy coating, then draws through this layer to expose the metal. The plate is then immersed in acid, which bites into the exposed lines, creating grooves. The plate is then inked, and wiped clean, leaving ink only in the etched lines. Finally, it’s pressed onto paper, transferring the image. Look closely, and you’ll see the crisp lines and delicate shading achieved through varying the depth and density of the etching. Etching is a relatively indirect process, allowing for a greater range of tonal variation compared to, say, engraving. This print is typical of the kind of imagery that circulated widely in the nineteenth century, when industrialization made paper relatively cheap and images of all kinds became available to a broad public. The production of these kinds of images provided work for a variety of skilled artisans. It’s a reminder that even seemingly straightforward images have complex origins in labor, material, and social context.