Bok 1855

Jan Heppener made this etching of a goat, called "Bok" in Dutch, in 1853. Etching is an intaglio printmaking process where lines are incised into a metal plate with acid. The plate is covered with a waxy ground, and the artist scratches an image into this ground with a needle, exposing the metal. The plate is then dipped in acid, which bites away at the exposed lines. The depth of the line is controlled by the amount of time the plate is left in the acid, allowing for a wide tonal range. Ink is applied to the plate, filling the etched lines, and the surface is wiped clean. Finally, the print is made by pressing the plate against a sheet of paper. Heppener masterfully wielded these techniques, resulting in an image that is both delicate and forceful, capturing the texture of the goat’s hair and the sharp curve of its horns, and elevating the animal’s likeness into the realm of fine art. The labor-intensive process of etching lends a unique quality to each print, blurring traditional distinctions between craft and art.