Socrates neemt afscheid van zijn vrienden in de gevangenis 1780

Christian Bernhard Rode created this print, Socrates Saying Goodbye to His Friends in Prison, using etching, a printmaking technique that dates back to the early 16th century. Etching involves biting an image into a metal plate with acid, then using it as a matrix to create multiple impressions. To make this image, Rode first coated a copper plate with wax. He then used a sharp needle to draw the scene, exposing the metal beneath. Next, he immersed the plate in acid, which ate away the exposed lines. Once he was satisfied with the depth of the lines, he removed the plate from the acid bath and applied ink, which filled the etched grooves. Finally, he pressed paper against the plate, transferring the ink to create the print. In Rode's time, printmaking was an important medium for disseminating ideas and images, playing a key role in the Enlightenment. The detailed process required skilled labor and specialized knowledge. Appreciating the craft behind this print helps us understand its cultural significance beyond the subject matter.