The Omval 1645

This landscape, called 'The Omval', was created by Rembrandt van Rijn, using etching techniques. The etching process involves covering a metal plate with a waxy, acid-resistant substance, then scratching an image into it with a needle. When dipped in acid, the exposed lines are eaten away, leaving an incised design. Ink is then applied to the plate, filling these grooves, and the surface is wiped clean. Finally, paper is pressed onto the plate, transferring the image. The result is a print with a distinctive, slightly raised texture and a level of detail that can be quite astonishing. Look closely at the artist's rendering of the natural world. The plate's materiality and the processes involved have imbued this artwork with a tangible presence. Rembrandt treats line with a masterful hand, using the etching needle to describe the scene. Prints like these were relatively inexpensive to produce and purchase, contributing to a broader culture of image circulation, and democratizing access to art in the 17th Century.