Aarhus 1823

Søren Lange created this print of Aarhus using etching and engraving techniques. These processes involved coating a metal plate with a waxy, acid-resistant substance, then drawing the image, exposing the metal, and finally, bathing the plate in acid to create the recessed lines. The materiality of this artwork is evident in the delicate lines and tonal variations achieved through controlled biting of the metal. The technique reflects the detailed labour involved in its production, a labor that mirrors the industriousness of the town it represents. Each line, each area of shading, is a testament to the engraver’s hand. Consider how the printmaking techniques, the etching, and engraving, are not just methods of reproduction, but also ways of capturing and conveying the atmosphere of a place. Through them, we see a moment in time, preserved and presented for contemplation.