Portret van Dirk Christiaan Meijer jr. 1908

Pieter Dupont created this portrait of Dirk Christiaan Meijer junior using etching. This printmaking process is often overlooked in favor of painting or sculpture. Here, a metal plate, likely copper or zinc, was coated with a waxy, acid-resistant substance called the ground. Using a sharp needle, the artist scratched away the ground, exposing the metal beneath. When dipped in acid, the exposed lines would bite into the plate, creating grooves. Ink was then applied to the plate, filling these grooves, and the surface wiped clean. Finally, paper was pressed against the plate, transferring the ink and creating the image. The result is an intimate portrayal, its delicate lines conveying texture and depth. Dupont’s mastery lies not just in his artistic skill, but also his deep understanding of materials and process. Appreciating the labor-intensive nature of etching encourages us to recognize the value of skilled handwork and the unique qualities it brings to an artwork.