Skovparti 1846

Johannes Wilhelm Zillen created this print of a forest scene using a technique called etching. The image is made by drawing into a waxy ground on a metal plate, which is then submerged in acid. The acid bites away the exposed lines, creating grooves that hold ink. The plate is then wiped clean, leaving ink only in the etched lines, and run through a press with a sheet of paper to create the print. The density of the etched lines creates the tonal variations we see, from the dark, rich foliage to the delicate reflections on the water. The linear quality emphasizes the textures of the leaves, bark, and grasses, inviting us to appreciate the natural world through the marks of the artist's hand. Understanding the etching process allows us to see how Zillen's skill and labor have transformed a simple metal plate into a work of art. It reminds us that the value of art lies not just in its image, but in the materials, the making, and the context that give it meaning.