Frederiksborg Slot. Parti ved Møntbroen 1837

Christen Købke made this print of Frederiksborg Castle using etching, a printmaking technique that relies on the corrosive action of acid on a metal plate. The linear quality we see comes from drawing through a waxy, acid-resistant ground, then submerging the plate in acid, which bites into the exposed lines. This is skilled and painstaking work – not just drawing, but chemistry and time management too. The print is like a shadow of labor. The print media allows for distribution, suggesting a democratization of the image. This contrasts with the subject matter: the castle, which is obviously a symbol of wealth and power. The architecture is itself a product of intense manual labor, stone by stone. The print's delicate lines and muted tones capture the tranquil beauty of the landscape, but also hints at the social structures and labor practices that underpin even the most picturesque scenes. It reminds us that all images are made, and all making has consequences.