Toren tussen bomen 1832

This print, "Tower Among Trees," was made by Paulus Lauters. He used etching, a printmaking technique with a fascinating relationship to labor. The process begins with a metal plate, coated in a waxy, acid-resistant ground. The artist then scratches an image into this ground, exposing the metal. Next, the plate is submerged in acid, which bites into the exposed lines, creating grooves. The deeper the bite, the darker the line will appear on the print. Once the plate is cleaned, ink is forced into these grooves, and the surface is wiped clean. Finally, the plate is pressed onto paper, transferring the image. Lauters used the etched line to create a detailed composition, but in the end, the print also celebrates the skilled labor required to make it. This process bridges the gap between art and craft. Etching is not only a means of artistic expression but also a labor-intensive craft, deeply connected to the social and economic context of its time.