Landschap met boerderij verscholen achter de struiken 1722 - 1780

Christian Ludwig von Hagedorn made this landscape with a farm hidden behind the bushes using etching. The image is created by incising lines into a metal plate, inking it, and then pressing it onto paper. The material's inherent qualities, such as the metal plate's hardness and the ink's viscosity, influence the appearance, creating fine lines and subtle tonal variations. This was achieved through skilled manipulation of etching tools and an understanding of the medium's chemical reactions. Etching has a history rooted in both craft and fine arts, and was widely used for creating illustrations, maps, and reproducing artworks. The amount of labor involved in the production process is considerable, requiring careful preparation, skilled execution, and meticulous printing. Looking at the materials, the making, and the context allows us to appreciate the skilled artistry that went into this small landscape, and challenges traditional distinctions between fine art and craft.