Twistende figuren die uit een deur- en raamopening hangen 1802 - 1883

This small print, made by Ferdinand de Braekeleer, shows two figures arguing, leaning out of adjacent windows. It was made using etching, a printmaking technique with a rich and complex history. In etching, a metal plate is coated with a waxy ground, and then the artist draws through this layer with a sharp needle, exposing the metal. The plate is then immersed in acid, which bites into the exposed lines. This process is repeated to deepen the lines, controlling the tonal range of the final print. Finally, the plate is inked and pressed onto paper, transferring the image. The lines of the image are defined by the artist's hand, but also by the corrosive power of acid. This combination of control and chance gives the medium a particular liveliness. Also, consider the labor involved: the skilled work of preparing the plate, the careful application of the ground, and the painstaking process of etching itself. This speaks to the value placed on craft and skill in the production of art. In the end, appreciating the ‘Twisting Figures’ involves understanding the layers of process and intention embedded within its very lines.