Twee heren bekijken een boom 1722 - 1784

This print, "Two Gentlemen Looking at a Tree," was made by Simon Fokke sometime in the 18th century. It's an etching, meaning that the image was incised into a metal plate, probably copper, and printed with ink onto paper. Consider the labor that went into this small image. An etching like this begins with coating a metal plate with a waxy ground. The artist then uses a sharp needle to draw through the ground, exposing the metal. When the plate is submerged in acid, the drawn lines are etched into the surface. Ink is then applied and the plate is pressed onto paper, transferring the image. The fine, delicate lines you see here are a testament to Fokke's skill. The etching process allowed for detailed rendering of the figures, foliage, and distant landscape. It's a reminder that even seemingly simple images are the result of skilled handwork, connecting the world of fine art to the broader realm of craft and industry.