Christus en de Emmaüsgangers 1660

This print, "Christus en de Emmaüsgangers," was made by Nicolas Perelle in the 17th century, using etching. It is a fine example of how the etching process—the controlled corrosion of a metal plate—can be used to render a whole world. Perelle would have coated the copperplate with a waxy, acid-resistant ground, then drawn the image with a sharp needle, exposing the metal. The plate was then immersed in acid, which bit into the exposed lines. This process could be repeated to deepen certain lines, allowing for a range of tonal effects, from the delicate haze of the sky to the firm lines of the figures. The print's texture, the almost infinite capacity for detail and subtle shading, is entirely determined by the artist's command of the etching process, which would have taken years to master, like any skilled trade. By understanding this, we recognize that printmaking, often considered a ‘minor art,’ is actually a complex interplay of material, process, and labor.