Zondagse rust in het bos 1891 - 1930

Camille Pissarro made this etching, titled "Zondagse rust in het bos", by using metal plates and acid. Pissarro was one of the few artists who experimented with etching. Looking closely, you’ll see that this involved coating a metal plate with wax, then scratching an image into the wax with a needle. The plate was then immersed in acid, which bit into the metal where it was exposed. Finally, the plate was inked and printed. This process allowed Pissarro to create an image with fine lines and subtle gradations of tone, reminiscent of a pencil drawing. But the real genius of etching is that it allows for multiples. The print medium opened a new realm of possibilities for artists who, like Pissarro, often engaged with themes of labor, class, and everyday life. The making of this artwork itself reflects a democratization of art and its accessibility to a wider audience, challenging traditional notions of art as a unique and precious commodity.