Morgenmaden 1664

Adriaen van Ostade made this etching, ‘Morgenmaden,’ using an iron plate and etching tools. Here, the linear qualities achieved through the etching process, where the artist scratches lines into a wax-covered plate before applying acid, dictate the image’s appearance, enhancing the scene's gritty realism. Van Ostade expertly captures the texture of everyday life, from the rough-hewn wooden beams of the tavern to the worn clothing of the figures. The marks of the tools, the etched lines, mimic the textures of the environment and the attire of the working class. Notice the skilled use of hatching and cross-hatching. These techniques create depth and shadow, drawing viewers into the heart of this modest interior. The labor-intensive process mirrors the daily toil of the figures depicted. The print becomes a document of its time, reflecting both the hardships and the simple pleasures of 17th-century life. Through his choice of subject and process, van Ostade elevates the everyday. He invites us to see the value and dignity in the lives of ordinary people.