Paris, Venus en Mercurius 1693

This image of Paris, Venus, and Mercury, was made by Samuel Bottschild, likely in the late 17th or early 18th century. It is an etching, a printmaking technique that relies on the corrosive action of acid. Bottschild would have coated a metal plate with a waxy, acid-resistant material, then scratched his design into it with a sharp needle. After bathing the plate in acid, he would remove the wax and apply ink to the incised lines. Finally, the image would be transferred to paper using a printing press. Etching was a popular medium at this time, due to its relative ease and capacity for fine detail. The network of lines, which give the figures form and shadow, are achieved through the controlled degradation of the metal surface. This image, seemingly conventional in its classical subject, reveals the artist's skill in manipulating industrial materials to create an aesthetic experience. It is a reminder that even in the realm of fine art, the means of production always play a crucial role.