Paneel met vlakdecoratie before 1800

This panel with ornamentation, made by an anonymous artist, is an etching on paper. This printed medium has an important history, particularly across Europe. Etchings were relatively quick to produce and cheap to buy, therefore a great way to disseminate imagery widely. The etcher protects a metal plate with wax, then scratches a design into the wax, before putting the plate in acid. The acid bites into the exposed metal, leaving behind incised lines, which hold ink. After the plate is cleaned, it can be printed onto paper. Consider the skilled labor involved in its production, and the wider social issues of labor, politics, and consumption. The print could be used by artisans to copy the design, and allowed for a democratisation of decorative trends. Prints like this challenge traditional distinctions between fine art and craft. Understanding its materials, making, and context is essential to grasping its full significance.