Paard aan een boom 1643

Nicolaes Ficke made this print of a horse tied to a tree sometime around the mid-17th century, using the etching process. The image is achieved by drawing through a wax ground on a metal plate, then bathing it in acid. The incised lines are then filled with ink and printed. The real artistry here lies in Ficke’s mastery of the etching process, as you can see in the varied textures. Look at the detailed rendering of the horse's musculature and flowing mane. This contrasts with the more loosely defined background, achieved through varied line work and tonal gradations. The horse is depicted at rest, yet it seems to exude a palpable sense of strength, its weight conveyed with incredible efficiency of means. The print medium was closely tied to wider social issues of labor and politics. It allowed images to be widely disseminated, and made art more accessible to a broader public. Appreciating the making and the context of such an image helps us understand its full meaning, and challenges our idea of ‘high’ art.