Bergachtig landschap 1798

Ludwig Hess created this landscape print around the turn of the 19th century using etching, a printmaking technique that democratized image production. Hess would have begun by coating a metal plate with a waxy, acid-resistant substance. Using a sharp needle, he scratched away the coating, exposing the metal beneath in a composition of his choosing. The plate was then submerged in acid, which bit into the exposed lines, incising the image. After removing the wax, the plate was inked, and then wiped clean, leaving ink only in the etched lines. Finally, the plate was pressed onto paper, transferring the image. The quality of the final print depended on how long the plate was left in the acid, and the pressure applied during printing. The fine, delicate lines we see here speak to Hess's skill. Prints like this met a growing demand for art, fueling an industry of craftspeople, and anticipating the mass production of images to come.