Man weegt kostbaarheden bij lamplicht 1886

Piet Verhaert created this print, "Man weegt kostbaarheden bij lamplicht," using etching, a process that emphasizes the relationship between labor and value. Verhaert would have applied a waxy, acid-resistant ground to a metal plate, then drawn through it with a needle to expose the metal. Immersing the plate in acid would bite away the exposed lines, creating grooves. The deeper the bite, the darker the line in the final print. The image shows a man carefully weighing precious items, his face illuminated by lamplight. The meticulous process of etching mirrors the man's careful work, highlighting the value of precision and skill. The print itself becomes an object of value through Verhaert’s labor-intensive method. Consider how this contrasts with modern, mechanized forms of production. Etching, with its reliance on handwork, invites us to reflect on the human effort embedded in both art and commerce.