Twee dansende jonge vrouwen met handen in de zij 1872 - 1926

This small print, Twee dansende jonge vrouwen met handen in de zij, was made by Théo van Rysselberghe using etching, a form of intaglio printmaking. Here, a plate, likely made of copper, was coated with a waxy, acid-resistant substance known as a ground. The artist then scratched his design into the ground, exposing the metal. The plate was submerged in acid, which bit into the exposed lines, creating grooves. Ink was then applied to the plate, filling these grooves, and the surface was wiped clean. Finally, paper was pressed against the plate, transferring the ink and creating the print. The relatively simple nature of the etching process allowed for the creation of multiple impressions, democratizing the image. But the fine detail achieved hints at the hand skills involved. It reminds us that even in reproduction, a human touch makes all the difference. By looking closely at materials and processes, we can understand the full cultural and social meaning of this seemingly simple artwork, bridging the gap between fine art and craft.