Naakte knielende man op zijn rug gezien 1800 - 1808

This small print, *Naakte knielende man op zijn rug gezien*, was made by J. Ephraimszoon Dresden using an etching technique. A metal plate, likely copper or zinc, would have been coated with a waxy ground, and then the artist scratched through this ground with a needle to expose the metal. The plate was then immersed in acid, which bit into the exposed lines, creating grooves. The physical act of etching is all about controlled aggression, and the way the lines vary in thickness and depth affects the final image. Look closely, and you can see how Dresden uses hatching and cross-hatching to create tone and shadow, giving the figure its three-dimensionality. The material qualities and processes of etching are crucial to the artwork's overall impact. The stark contrast between the lines and the white paper creates a sense of immediacy and intimacy. The figure's vulnerability is enhanced by the fragility of the medium. By understanding the labor and skill involved in this traditional printmaking technique, we can appreciate the artwork's emotional depth, and Dresden's hand.