Drie Maria's bij het graf 1783

Adam von Bartsch made this print, “Drie Maria's bij het graf” using etching, a printmaking technique. Here, lines are incised into a metal plate, traditionally copper or zinc, using acid. The depth of the lines determines how much ink they hold, and therefore how dark they appear in the final print. Etching allowed for a level of detail and nuance that was previously unattainable in printmaking. Notice the fine lines and subtle shading used to create depth and texture in the rocks and figures. The process involves a complex interplay of materials, from the acid that bites into the metal, to the paper that receives the ink. It is worth noting that in Bartsch’s time, printmaking was not only a means of artistic expression, but also a crucial part of the communications industry. Thinking about process, materials and social context encourages us to challenge traditional distinctions between fine art and craft.