The flight into Egypt: small after 1633

This small print, "The Flight into Egypt," of unknown date and authorship, uses etching, a printmaking technique dependent on both craft and chemistry. The artist would have coated a metal plate with a waxy, acid-resistant ground, then scratched an image into it with a stylus. Immersing the plate in acid would bite away the exposed lines. This process could be repeated for darker lines, adding depth and texture to the scene. Ink is then forced into these etched lines, the plate surface is wiped clean, and paper is pressed against it, transferring the image. Consider the labor involved: preparing the plate, meticulously etching the design, and the physical work of printing. Each pull of the press creates a unique impression, embodying the maker's skill. The final print invites us to appreciate not just the image, but the intricate dance of materials, labor, and artistry that brought it into being. The act of making itself becomes part of the artwork's story.