Zes voorstellingen uit de nieuwe geschiedenis 1789

Daniel Nikolaus Chodowiecki created these six scenes from recent history using etching, a printmaking technique that relies on the corrosive power of acid. The artist would have coated a metal plate with a waxy, acid-resistant substance, then scratched an image into it with a pointed tool, exposing the metal. The plate was then immersed in acid, which bit into the exposed lines, creating grooves. Ink was then applied to the plate, filling these grooves, and the surface wiped clean. Finally, the plate was pressed onto paper, transferring the ink and creating a print. This process allowed for the relatively quick and easy reproduction of images, making them accessible to a wider audience. Printmaking flourished alongside the rise of the middle class and the expansion of the market economy. The images themselves depict important political events, reflecting the growing interest in current affairs and the spread of news through printed media. These six panels represent how reproducible printmaking techniques could influence public opinion and shape historical narratives.