Liggende koe 1792 - 1810

Wouter Johannes van Troostwijk created this etching of a reclining cow with ink on paper. The etching process is fascinating. The artist would have coated a metal plate with a waxy, acid-resistant substance, then drawn the image into the wax with a sharp needle. The plate was then submerged in acid, which bit into the exposed lines, creating grooves. These grooves hold the ink. The plate is then wiped clean, and the ink remains only in the etched lines. Finally, damp paper is pressed against the plate, transferring the image. Look closely, and you’ll notice the fine lines that define the cow’s form, built through a laborious process of production. The materiality influences the appearance, with the rich textures and tonal range achieved through the controlled application of the ink. This etching method, with its precise demands and subtle effects, elevates a common scene to the realm of fine art. The image's true value lies in understanding the materials, making, and social context, dissolving the boundaries between craft and art.