La Fontana Egeria 1792

Jacob Wilhelm Mechau made this etching, La Fontana Egeria, using a copper plate. The lines you see were incised into the metal, likely with a tool called a burin, then acid was applied to deepen these lines. The plate was inked, and then pressed onto paper, transferring the image. What makes this print interesting is the labor involved. Mechau had to possess skill and patience to create such a detailed composition. The marks on the plate determine the appearance of the print. See how they vary in thickness and density to create a sense of light and shadow. This labor-intensive process, typical of printmaking at the time, stands in contrast to our contemporary modes of mass production. Ultimately, understanding the material and process behind La Fontana Egeria enriches our appreciation, challenging the divide between art and craft.