Brinio laat zich scheren 1855 - 1861

Christiaan Lodewijk van Kesteren made this print, "Brinio laat zich scheren," using etching and engraving techniques. The fine lines, so characteristic of prints, result from the tools dragged across a metal plate. The incised lines hold ink, which is then transferred to paper under high pressure. Here, you can see the artist has created an intricate scene. Look closely and you will notice that line work and careful detail, particularly in the figures' faces and clothing. Etching and engraving are labor-intensive, requiring skilled craftsmanship and painstaking work, with many hours of labor to achieve such detail. Prints like this one were often made for wider distribution, allowing images and ideas to circulate among a broader audience. In their own way, they contributed to the growth of a print culture, one tied to both artistic expression and the world of publishing and commerce.