The Holy Family Returns from Egypt 1549

Augustin Hirschvogel made this print, The Holy Family Returns from Egypt, with etching, a printmaking technique, in the mid-16th century. The etcher covers a metal plate with a waxy ground, then scratches lines through it, exposing the metal. When acid is applied, it bites into these lines, creating grooves that hold ink. The plate is then wiped clean, leaving ink only in the etched lines. Finally, paper is pressed against the plate, transferring the image. What is remarkable about this print, made with the hand-made technique, is the amount of work involved in its production. Each print requires the artist to repeat the etching process for every impression. Labor and craft became intertwined. The meticulous process embodies a deep social connection to the skills passed down through generations of printmakers. Ultimately, understanding the materials and processes unveils the rich layers of meaning embedded within. It invites us to challenge the established hierarchies between art and craft.