Konvooi paarden in een bos in Polen door wolven aangevallen 1837

This 19th-century print by Paulus Lauters, housed at the Rijksmuseum, depicts a chaotic scene of horses and riders under attack by wolves in a Polish forest. The medium here is etching, a printmaking process using acid to corrode lines into a metal plate, which is then inked and pressed onto paper. Lauters’s choice of etching is significant. It allowed for a high level of detail and a sense of immediacy, capturing the drama of the event with delicate, yet frenzied lines. This would have been a cost-effective way to produce multiple images, speaking to the rise of print culture and visual storytelling during the 1800s. The etching process itself is labor-intensive, requiring skilled craftsmanship. The emphasis on reproducibility aligns with the era's emerging industrial mindset, yet the artistry involved maintains a connection to traditional craft. The artist offers a compelling tension between mass production and individual skill. Ultimately, understanding the material and process of this print enriches our appreciation of its historical and cultural context.