Portret van Democritus van Abdera 1768 - 1817

Johann Heinrich Lips made this etching of "Democritus of Abdera" using paper and ink, likely in the late 18th century. Etching is an intaglio printmaking method that employs acid to create designs in a metal plate. The plate is coated with a waxy, acid-resistant substance before the artist scratches their design. The exposed metal is then eaten away in an acid bath, leaving behind incised lines. These lines hold ink, which is transferred to paper under pressure. Lips has used varied line weights to create tone and shadow. The production of etchings, like other forms of printmaking, depends on a division of labor. While Lips was clearly skilled in draftsmanship, other artisans would have been involved in preparing the plate, and operating the printing press. This print is both an artwork, and evidence of a commercialized system of production. Thinking about the historical and social context in which it was made helps us to appreciate the print’s full meaning.