Parti fra Hornbæksplantagen 1883

Carl Bloch created this landscape titled 'Parti fra Hornbæksplantagen' using etching, a printmaking technique that dates back centuries. The image is built from thousands of tiny incised lines. The process begins with a metal plate covered in a waxy, acid-resistant ground. Bloch would have drawn through this ground with a sharp needle, exposing the metal underneath. When the plate is dipped in acid, these exposed lines are ‘bitten’ into the surface. This painstaking method allows for an incredible level of detail. Look at the texture he achieves in the foliage, for example. Once the etching is complete, the plate is inked, wiped clean, and then pressed onto paper. The ink held in the etched lines is transferred, creating the final print. In a world increasingly dominated by industrial processes, etching retained the mark of the hand, reflecting a deep engagement with material and process. Appreciating this connection transforms our understanding of the image, bridging the gap between fine art and craft.