Ovaal met acht paarden en twee ezels 1594

Martin Pleginck created this oval print depicting eight horses and two donkeys using etching, an indirect intaglio process. In etching, a metal plate is coated with a waxy, acid-resistant ground. The artist then scratches an image into the ground with a needle, exposing the metal. When the plate is immersed in acid, the exposed lines are ‘bitten’ or corroded. This painstaking process results in recessed lines in the plate, which are then filled with ink. Finally, the plate is pressed onto paper, transferring the image. The fineness of line achieved in etching lends itself well to detail, as can be seen in the figures of the animals. But it’s important to remember that the image we see is not directly drawn. It is the result of a chemical reaction, a collaboration between the artist's hand and the biting action of acid. The material of the metal plate, the strength of the acid, and the duration of immersion all influence the final appearance of the print. Examining the material processes behind this print allows us to appreciate the blend of skill, labor, and chance involved in its creation.