To heste på en eng 1599 - 1642

Pieter van Laer created this tiny etching, Two Horses in a Meadow, sometime in the first half of the 17th century. Etching is an indirect process: the artist covers a metal plate with a waxy, acid-resistant ground, then draws an image with a sharp needle, exposing the metal. Acid is then applied, biting into the plate where the lines have been drawn. After the plate is cleaned, ink is applied and then wiped off the surface, remaining only in the etched lines. Finally, the plate is pressed onto paper, transferring the image. The appeal of etching lies in its ability to capture fine detail and subtle tonal variations. Van Laer uses these qualities to create a lively depiction of the two horses. This print demonstrates how technical processes intersect with artistic expression, allowing for the distribution of images, and broadening access to art beyond unique paintings.