Musicerend gezelschap 1886

This print by William Unger shows us a gathering, made with etching and engraving. These are processes of working metal, using acid and sharp tools to incise lines that hold ink. The material influence here is clear: the linear quality of the image comes directly from the artist’s hand, cutting into the plate. Consider the incredible amount of labor involved in producing an image like this. Each mark had to be carefully considered, and deeply felt. In the 19th century, prints like this allowed images to be widely disseminated, across social classes and geographic boundaries. The very act of making this print, therefore, brought art into everyday life. It moved art away from being unique precious object, and towards being something more democratic, more accessible. So next time you look at a print, remember it not just as an image, but as an artifact of its own making.