Vier zwevende putti met guirlandes 1747

Jan Wandelaar made this print called "Vier zwevende putti met guirlandes" using etching techniques. The art of etching involves using acid to cut into a metal plate, traditionally copper or zinc, to create a design. The plate is covered with a waxy, acid-resistant substance, through which the artist scratches the image. When the plate is immersed in acid, the exposed lines are eaten away, creating grooves. The plate is then inked, the surface wiped clean, and the ink held in the grooves is transferred to paper under high pressure. Wandelaar's delicate linework gives depth and volume to the cherubic figures and garlands, making them almost float off the page. Consider the labor involved in such a detailed print, from preparing the metal plate to the final pressing. The skills and precision required reflect a highly trained artisan, yet prints were often seen as a more commercial, accessible art form. This raises questions about the hierarchies we often impose on art, distinguishing 'high art' from 'craft' or 'reproduction'. The beauty of this etching lies not only in its aesthetic appeal but also in understanding the intricate process and the social context of its creation.