Sint-Pietersberg met de ruïne van kasteel Lichtenberg 1858

This print, Sint-Pietersberg met de ruïne van kasteel Lichtenberg, was made by Alexander Schaepkens using etching. A metal plate, likely copper or zinc, was coated with a waxy ground. The artist then scratched through this ground with a needle, exposing the metal. The plate was then submerged in acid, which bit into the exposed lines, creating grooves. The image shows the ruins of Lichtenberg castle atop Sint-Pietersberg hill. The meticulous etching process, requiring skilled labor and specialized tools, allows for fine detail, capturing the textures of stone, foliage and sky. Prints like this one played a crucial role in disseminating images and knowledge, before photography became widespread. The etching's linear quality emphasizes the work involved in its creation and the skill and artistry that Schaepkens brought to what might otherwise be seen as a purely reproductive medium. This challenges distinctions between artistic and craft practices, demonstrating how skilled making can elevate a utilitarian process to the level of art.