John Martin 1817

This print of John Martin was made in 1817 by John Linnell, using a metal plate, acid, and ink. The technique, called etching, involves coating a metal plate with a waxy, acid-resistant substance. The artist then draws through this coating, exposing the metal. When the plate is submerged in acid, the drawn lines are "bitten" into the metal. Ink is then applied to the plate, filling the etched lines, and the surface is wiped clean. Finally, the image is transferred to paper under high pressure. Notice the fine, precise lines that define Martin's face and wig. Etching allowed for detailed work, and a tonal range from light grays to deep blacks. Prints like this one were relatively inexpensive to produce, and that meant they could circulate widely, helping to shape public perception. It's a reminder that even portraiture has a material dimension, and a social life beyond the sitter themselves.