Bearded man with chain necklace 1647

This is Wenceslaus Hollar's "Bearded man with chain necklace," an etching made in 1647. Hollar was a master of the etched line, and this print exemplifies his skill. Etching is an indirect process, one that relies on acid to do some of the work. The artist coats a metal plate with a waxy ground, then scratches through it with a needle. The plate is then immersed in acid, which bites into the exposed metal. The longer the plate stays in the acid, the deeper the lines. The plate is then inked and printed. The image’s qualities of line and tone are entirely dependent on the artist's control of this process, and the material properties of metal and acid. The etched line is so precise that we can admire the fineness of the man’s beard, and the glint of light on his heavy gold chain. The very qualities of substance, weight, and form are conjured up through Hollar's mastery of the etching process. This work reminds us that printmaking is not just about reproduction, but about a deep engagement with materials and techniques.