Aanbidding door de herders 1500 - 1600

This print, titled "Adoration of the Shepherds", was made by an anonymous artist, using a technique called etching. Etching involves covering a metal plate with a waxy, protective layer, and then scratching away lines to expose the metal. The plate is then bathed in acid, which bites into the exposed lines, creating grooves. Ink is applied to these grooves, and the plate is pressed onto paper, transferring the image. Notice the density of the lines, built up through labor, to create areas of light and shadow, and the somewhat coarse quality that gives a sense of immediacy. The printmaking process made it easy to replicate images widely, contributing to a more democratic distribution of art. This allowed the story of the Adoration to reach a broader audience, beyond the wealthy elite. Consider how this work complicates traditional hierarchies by making it more accessible through its production.