St. Anne 1645

Wenceslaus Hollar made this print of St. Anne in 1648, using the etching technique. This is a process where a metal plate, usually copper, is coated with a waxy, acid-resistant substance. The artist then scratches an image into the coating, exposing the metal underneath. The plate is immersed in acid, which bites into the exposed lines, creating grooves. The plate is then inked, and the surface wiped clean, leaving ink only in the etched lines. Finally, paper is pressed against the plate, transferring the ink and creating the print. The resulting lines can vary in thickness and depth depending on the strength of the acid and the duration of the etching. What I find fascinating about printmaking is its reproducibility. It democratizes art by making images widely available, moving away from unique, hand-painted artworks owned only by the wealthy, creating accessibility to a broader audience. This challenges the traditional hierarchy of art and craft.