Heksenproces in Glarus 1788

This print, "Heksenproces in Glarus," was made by Daniel Nikolaus Chodowiecki, using etching techniques. The incised lines, creating a scene of domestic life and, ominously, a woman in contemplation, speak to the printmaking process itself. Think of the labor involved in the skillful marking of the plate with fine tools. Chodowiecki would have employed acid to bite into the metal, allowing for the transfer of his design to paper. The social context is key here. The work implicates the viewer in a narrative loaded with anxiety – witch trials. The artist reminds us that what may seem like simple materials carry cultural weight. Ultimately, this print invites us to consider the potent mix of material, technique, and social commentary, which dissolves the boundaries between craft and fine art.