Liggende geiten 1659 - 1709

This print of resting goats was made with etching, a printmaking technique that depends on acid. The image begins with a metal plate, likely copper. The etcher would have coated it with a waxy, acid-resistant ground. Then, using a sharp needle, they drew through the ground to expose the metal. When the plate was dipped in acid, the exposed lines would be eaten away, creating grooves. The longer the plate remained in the acid, the deeper the lines. Once the etching was complete, the plate was inked, wiped clean, and then pressed against paper, transferring the image. Look closely, and you can see the quality of line that this process allows, from the light feathery hair of the goats to the rough-hewn timber of the building behind them. It’s a reminder that even a seemingly straightforward image has a rich history of handwork embedded within it. It isn't just a picture, but an index of skilled labor.