Man leunend op een stok 1728 - 1789

Jacob Hoolaart created this etching of a man leaning on a stick in the 18th century, using an etching needle to draw through a waxy ground on a copper plate, which was then acid-etched to create the lines that hold ink. The quality of those lines is key here; they vary in thickness and depth, creating a sense of volume and shadow despite the economy of means. This wasn't a unique invention of Hoolaart's, but part of a printmaking tradition that had become increasingly important. The etched line, in particular, lent itself to mass production – think of the illustrations in newspapers and books that circulated widely at this time. Hoolaart uses this technique to depict what is probably a commoner, resting on a stick. Ultimately, remembering the labor of the etching process itself—the skilled hand guiding the needle—allows us to appreciate the artistry involved, challenging any hard separation between the fine and applied arts.