Man in oud huis, naar buiten kijkend over de deur 1778 - 1838

Anthonie van den Bos created this etching, "Man in oud huis, naar buiten kijkend over de deur," using a metal plate, acid, and ink. The etcher's art lies in the controlled degradation of the metal. Acid bites into the metal where exposed, creating recessed lines. The ink then settles into these grooves, and transfers to paper under pressure. Look closely, and you can see the character of the etched line. It's not perfectly uniform, but has a slightly ragged quality, born of the corrosive process. The image depicts a dilapidated building, but it’s the etching process itself that holds a mirror to the ravages of time. The etcher’s work, like the building he depicts, is a collaboration between human intention and the indifferent forces of material decay. In this way, Van den Bos elevates a humble subject with skilled labor and a deep understanding of his medium.