Hovedet af en stud 1807 - 1881

Emmerik Høegh-Guldberg created this etching, "Hovedet af en stud" – or "Head of a Steer" – with an etching needle on a metal plate. This work stands out because of its linear quality, achieved through the labor-intensive process of etching. The artist would have painstakingly drawn into a wax-covered plate, which was then submerged in acid. The acid bites into the exposed metal, creating the lines that hold the ink. There's an intimate connection between the artist's hand and the final image. The fine lines and the tonal variations give the piece an informal quality. The choice of etching reflects a specific set of values, a move away from more industrial forms of image production and toward a hand-made aesthetic. Ultimately, Høegh-Guldberg invites us to consider the social and cultural implications embedded within the artwork, challenging any rigid boundary between fine art and craft.