Man op een trap bij een deur van een huis 1833 - 1862

This print, made by Gijsbertus Johannes Verspuy, is a fantastic example of the etching process. A metal plate, likely copper, would have been coated with a waxy, acid-resistant substance called a 'ground'. The artist then scratches through the ground with a needle, exposing the metal. Immersing the plate in acid bites away at these exposed lines, creating grooves. The longer it's etched, the deeper the lines become, allowing for richer blacks. Ink is then applied to the plate, filling only the etched lines. The surface is wiped clean, and the plate is pressed onto paper, transferring the ink and creating the print. Look closely, and you can see the subtle texture of the paper itself, almost like a textile. The final image is defined by the artist’s meticulous labor, and the chemical action of the acid, a collaboration between hand and material. This piece challenges the traditional hierarchy of art by elevating craft and materiality to the forefront.