Vader met kinderen 1768 - 1795

Pieter de Mare created this etching, "Father with Children," using metal, acid, and ink around the late 18th century. Etching allows for detailed linework, which gives the scene a lively, informal feel. The process involves coating a metal plate with a waxy, acid-resistant substance, drawing through this layer to expose the metal, then submerging the plate in acid. The acid bites into the exposed lines, creating grooves that hold ink. The plate is then cleaned, inked, and pressed onto paper, transferring the image. Here, de Mare uses the etched line to capture the father’s weathered face and the children's playful energy. Look closely, and you can almost feel the roughness of the father's clothes and the smooth curves of the children's faces. The economic reality of printmaking meant that multiples of this image could circulate widely. The artwork provides insight into the domestic life of the late 1700's, offering a snapshot of labor, family, and everyday life that transcends the boundaries between fine art and craft.