En løve 1829

Christian David Gebauer created this print of a lion using etching, a printmaking technique that democratized image production. The image is achieved by drawing into a waxy ground on a metal plate, which is then exposed to acid. This process etches lines into the metal, and when inked and printed, the design is transferred to paper. Here, Gebauer coaxes a full tonal range from this linear method, cross-hatching to create deep shadows. While etching allowed artists to create multiples, it still required skilled labor and a deep understanding of materials. The quality of the lines, the depth of the bite, and the pressure of the press, all contribute to the final image. So, while mass production was on the rise in Gebauer’s time, this print reminds us that even reproducible images are the product of careful, considered handwork.