Reproductie van een ets van een portret van Lucas en Cornelis de Wael door Wenceslaus Hollar before 1877

Joseph Maes created this reproduction of Wenceslaus Hollar's etching of Lucas and Cornelis de Wael, using an etching technique, sometime between 1838 and 1908. The composition immediately draws your eye to the two figures, framed within a rectangular border that emphasizes their presence. Consider the interplay of light and shadow, achieved through fine, intricate lines. This highlights the texture of their garments and the contours of their faces. The artist uses linear precision to create a sense of depth, distinguishing the foreground figures from the softly shaded background. As a reproduction, this work engages with ideas of originality and representation. It invites us to reflect on how images are circulated, copied, and re-interpreted through different media. The act of reproducing an older etching in the same medium speaks to a dialogue across time, questioning the very nature of artistic creation. The work becomes a sign, referring not only to the de Wael brothers but also to the historical and cultural contexts of both Hollar and Maes.