Kindermoord te Bethlehem 1670 - 1682

Melchior Küsel created this print, Kindermoord te Bethlehem, using etching, a process involving acid, metal, and immense skill. The stark contrast achieved through etching lends a dramatic quality to the scene. The artist would have coated a metal plate with a waxy, acid-resistant substance, then scratched an image into the wax, exposing the metal. After, the plate was submerged in acid, which bit into the exposed lines. This was an exacting process, and the depth of the lines directly influenced the amount of ink they held. Küsel would then have applied ink to the plate and wiped the surface clean, leaving ink only in the etched lines. Finally, the plate was pressed onto paper, transferring the image. The labor-intensive nature of etching meant prints like these were relatively precious. The technique allowed for the distribution of imagery to a wider audience, but also encouraged careful handling and appreciation.