Derde vrouw van Peter Marks sterft tijdens een diner 1779

Daniel Nikolaus Chodowiecki made this etching, titled 'Derde vrouw van Peter Marks sterft tijdens een diner', using the intaglio printmaking process. This involved incising lines into a metal plate, applying ink so it fills those lines, and then pressing paper against the plate to transfer the image. The stark contrast between the black lines and the white paper gives the scene a dramatic intensity, enhancing the chaotic scene. Look at how the varying densities of lines create tonal depth, adding volume to the figures and textures to the fabrics, and how the fineness of the lines captures intricate details, like the expressions on the diners' faces. Etching was a technique of reproduction and dissemination, making images and ideas accessible to a wide audience. As such, it played a crucial role in shaping public opinion and cultural values. Here, it captures a domestic tragedy, reflecting on mortality and social relationships. The choice of etching speaks to a desire to engage with contemporary issues and moral narratives, rather than creating a precious object. The social commentary is baked into the process itself.