Kroonluchter met personificaties van Hoop en Geloof en pauselijk wapen 1714

This chandelier, made by Maximilian Joseph Limpach, is a very fine etching, a printmaking technique that relies on acid to bite into a metal plate. Now, consider the amount of labor that went into producing this seemingly simple image. First, Limpach would have carefully coated a copper plate with a waxy, acid-resistant ground. Using a sharp needle, he would then scratch away the ground, exposing the metal. The plate is then submerged in acid, which etches lines into the exposed areas. The longer the plate remains in the acid, the deeper the lines become. This is essentially a multiplication of labor: the artist creates the original, and then many impressions can be made. This one small etching gives you an insight into the world of craft, fine art, and design, revealing their intricate interconnections.