Vrouw met kind 1865 - 1936

This is Vrouw met kind, an etching made by Nicolaas van der Waay. Etching is an indirect method of printmaking, where a metal plate is coated with a waxy, acid-resistant material called a ground. The artist then draws through the ground, exposing the metal beneath. When the plate is immersed in acid, the exposed lines are “bitten”, creating recessed lines in the metal. Ink is then applied to the plate, filling these lines, and the surface is wiped clean. Finally, the plate is pressed onto paper, transferring the ink and creating the print. What’s interesting here is the way that Van der Waay uses the etching technique to capture a tender moment between mother and child. The medium lends itself particularly well to capturing the intimate play of light and shadow. It’s clear that a lot of labor went into producing this print, as etching is a slow and meticulous process. But the choice of printmaking – a readily reproducible medium – also suggests the widespread availability of images at this time. The work democratizes the image of motherhood, making it accessible to a wider audience.