Ceres, Mars en Saturnus (De vier leeftijden) 1699 - 1763

Frans van Mieris the Younger created this print, "Ceres, Mars en Saturnus", using etching, a form of printmaking based on the effects of acid on metal. The composition layers the figures of Ceres, Mars, and Saturn in linear patterns, giving the image an interesting texture. The use of etching allowed Van Mieris to achieve detail in his depiction of the figures, who each represent stages of life. Etching is an indirect method of working a metal plate, in which the artist protects certain areas of the metal with a waxy ground, before exposing the rest to acid. It is related to other printing methods used at the time, such as engraving, which also facilitated the distribution of art and ideas. Each print is an original work of art, which may be multiplied many times over. Considering the context in which this print was made, etching allowed artists to create multiples of their work, making it more accessible to a wider audience and feeding a growing appetite for art in Dutch society. Through his choice of materials and processes, Frans van Mieris shows us how techniques shape aesthetics.