Landschap met Argus bij Io als koe en Mercurius in de lucht 1612 - 1664

This landscape, made with etching, shows Argus watching over Io as a cow, with Mercury above. Etching is an indirect printmaking process, like engraving, where the artist uses acid to cut into a metal plate. The plate is covered with a waxy, acid-resistant ground. Then the artist draws through the ground with a pointed tool, exposing the metal. When the plate is dipped in acid, the exposed lines are eaten away, creating an image. The appeal of etching lies in the subtlety of the line it produces, ranging from the thinnest of hairlines to broader areas of tone, depending on how long the plate is exposed to the mordant. Here, we can appreciate how the etcher has used line not only to depict the narrative, but also to capture the textures of the wood and foliage, the folds of the cow's skin, and the languid pose of the shepherd. The etched medium has allowed the artist to convey the softness, and create a visually rich, atmospheric artwork.