Bæk mellem to klipper 1623 - 1670

Herman Naiwincx made this print, ‘Bæk mellem to klipper’, using etching, a form of printmaking that democratized image production in its day. Etching involves coating a metal plate with a waxy, acid-resistant layer, then drawing through it with a sharp needle. The plate is then immersed in acid, which bites into the exposed lines. This process is repeated to deepen the lines, allowing for varying tones in the final print. It’s a chemical procedure, but there’s a lot of hand-work involved: the drawing, the protective layers, the timing of the acid bath. Naiwincx clearly had a knack for this process. Look at the way he uses the etched lines to describe the rugged texture of the rocks and foliage, and the smooth surface of the water. The print, through its very making, presents a distinct vision of nature. This wasn’t exactly high art, but it took skill, time, and patience. The result is a beautiful image made available to a wide public, blurring the boundaries between art and craft.