Illustration til digt af Erik Bøgh 1855

This etching, an illustration for a poem by Erik Bøgh, was made by Carl Bøgh in the 19th century. The printmaking technique employed allows for a great deal of detail, as you can see in the fine lines defining the figures and foliage. The material qualities of the print – its black ink on white paper, its relatively small scale, and the linear precision afforded by etching – all contribute to its character as a reproducible image. Etchings like this one were often made in multiples, distributed widely through books and periodicals. This speaks to the rise of a mass audience for art, and to the commercialization of creativity. The artist’s skill is evident, but so too is the connection to a larger system of production and consumption. The image gains further meaning when we consider the social context of its making and distribution. The artwork is deeply embedded in the modes of production and consumption of its time.