Rye sø 1891

Vilhelm Kyhn made this print, "Rye sø", using etching, a printmaking process that allows for detailed and subtle tonal variations. Etching involves coating a metal plate with a waxy, acid-resistant substance, then drawing into this coating with a sharp needle. When the plate is immersed in acid, the exposed lines are bitten, creating grooves. The depth of these grooves determines how much ink they hold, and thus how dark they appear when printed. The printmaker can control this through the amount of time they leave the plate in the acid. Here, the dense network of lines creates a rich, almost velvety texture, capturing the tranquility of the lakeside scene. Kyhn has masterfully used the etching process to evoke the subtle textures of the grass, trees and water. Printmaking is intrinsically linked to broader social and economic contexts. It enabled the wider distribution of images, making art more accessible to a broader public.