Hornbæk kirke, sommeraften 1887

Carl Locher's "Hornbæk kirke, sommeraften" is an etching, a printmaking process that relies on the corrosive action of acid to create an image in a metal plate. The plate is first covered with a waxy, acid-resistant substance, then the artist scratches through this coating with a pointed tool, exposing the metal. When the plate is dipped in acid, the exposed lines are "bitten" or etched, creating grooves. The depth of these grooves determines how much ink they will hold, and thus how dark the lines will appear in the final print. Look closely, and you’ll notice the subtle tonal variations. The velvety blacks and delicate grays are a result of the time and care Locher took in controlling the etching process. By varying the strength of the acid and the duration of the etching, he achieved a rich atmospheric effect, capturing the quiet stillness of a summer evening in Hornbæk. This kind of image-making was central to the cultural landscape of its time, and represents a skillful combination of technical mastery and artistic vision.