Twee mannen, twee vrouwen en een kind 1819 - 1823

Bartolomeo Pinelli made this print, “Two men, two women, and a child,” using etching, a printmaking process with a long and fascinating history. Etching begins with a metal plate, traditionally copper or zinc, coated with a waxy, acid-resistant substance. The artist then scratches through this coating with a needle, exposing the metal. When the plate is dipped in acid, the exposed lines are ‘bitten,’ creating grooves. The depth of these grooves determines how much ink they will hold. The whole plate is then inked, wiped clean, and pressed onto paper, transferring the ink from the grooves to create the image. The linear quality of the print, and the intricacy of detail that Pinelli achieved, testify to his mastery of this demanding technique. The subject matter, a scene of everyday life, is also significant. Printmaking democratized art, making it accessible to a wider audience than unique paintings ever could. Looking closely at the etched lines, we can appreciate the skill and labor involved in bringing such scenes to life. It’s a reminder that even seemingly simple images have a complex story to tell.