A Mounted Drummer from the Front 1670 - 1702

This etching of a mounted drummer was made by Marcellus Laroon the Elder in the late 17th century. Its character resides in the etched line, which has a sharp, almost wiry quality. The medium of etching is itself a fascinating one. To create it, a metal plate is coated with a waxy ground, then the artist draws through the ground with a needle to expose the metal. The plate is then immersed in acid, which bites into the exposed lines. This allows for incredibly fine detail, as we can see in the drummer's clothing and the horse's trappings. Consider too that the print would have been made in multiples. So, this image speaks volumes about the rise of print culture, commerce, and the dissemination of images in early modern Europe. It blurs the line between art and craft, presenting a practical, reproducible artwork intended for a broad audience.