Plate two, from Radierversuche Possibly 1843 - 1844

Adolph Menzel created this etching, Plate two, from Radierversuche, sometime in the mid-19th century. The etching process itself is fascinating. The artist would have covered a metal plate with a waxy, acid-resistant ground. Then, using a sharp needle, he scratched away the ground to expose the metal underneath, before the plate was submerged in acid. This would bite into the exposed lines, creating grooves in the metal. The deeper the bite, the darker the line would appear in the final print. Menzel has really exploited the fineness of line possible with etching. See how he uses a dense network of hatching and cross-hatching to describe the faces? The figures below are rendered with much more rapid, sketchy strokes – a wonderful contrast. The tonal range achieved is impressive, all the more so when you consider that Menzel was working with a limited palette of black ink on paper. Ultimately, Menzel’s print reminds us that even seemingly simple materials, when combined with skill and imagination, can produce works of great complexity and beauty. It challenges us to look beyond the surface and appreciate the process and labor involved in its creation.