Staand paard 1810 - 1818

Anthony Oberman made this print of a standing horse in 1810, using etching. This process involves coating a metal plate with wax, scratching an image into the wax, and then submerging the plate in acid. The acid bites into the exposed metal, leaving behind an image that can be inked and printed. The fine lines and delicate shading achieved through etching give the horse a sense of texture and depth. You can almost feel the smooth curve of its flank and the rough texture of its mane. What’s fascinating is that etching, unlike painting or sculpture, is a reproductive medium. It's not about creating a unique object, but about making multiples. This connects the artwork to broader issues of labor, politics and consumption. Oberman's etching demonstrates how even seemingly simple images are deeply embedded in the world of materials, making, and social context. It challenges the distinction between art and craft.