Stående hest, i baggrunden en hest med rytter 1614 - 1661

This tiny etching of horses was made by Jan van Aken sometime in the 17th century. It’s an image achieved through incising lines into a metal plate, inking it, and then running it through a printing press. The pressure of the press is essential, forcing the paper into the fine lines of the design. The material of the metal plate offers a stark contrast to the organic forms depicted. We see the methodical labor involved in its production, with each line carefully placed to define shape and texture. The cross-hatching, especially on the horse in the foreground, creates a sense of depth and volume despite the print's small scale. Prints like this one were relatively inexpensive, they democratized image-making and allowed for wider distribution of visual information. This speaks to a society where art was becoming more accessible, reflecting changing patterns of consumption and a growing middle class. In its modest way, the print demonstrates the increasing commodification of imagery during this period.