Mindestøtte for forfatteren Hans Vilhelm Riber 1801 - 1805

J.F. Clemens made this print, “Mindestøtte for forfatteren Hans Vilhelm Riber,” using etching. The etching process involves covering a metal plate with a waxy, acid-resistant layer, then scratching away lines to expose the metal. The plate is then dipped in acid, which bites into the exposed lines, creating grooves. Ink is applied to the plate, filling these grooves, and the surface is wiped clean. Finally, paper is pressed onto the plate, transferring the ink and creating the print. Here, Clemens uses the etched line to create a detailed, commemorative landscape. Notice the monument dedicated to the writer Hans Vilhelm Riber, surrounded by trees and what appears to be a carefully planned garden. The fine lines create a sense of depth and texture, especially in the foliage and the architectural details of the monument. The process itself allows for multiple copies to be made, suggesting a desire to widely disseminate this memorial image. This reproductive capacity is essential to the work’s meaning, bringing attention to the importance of patronage, labor, and the economics of art production at the time.