Schapen in een stal 1867 - 1911

Jacoba de Graaff made this etching of sheep in a barn. It is made using an exacting chemical process: an image is first drawn into a wax coating on a metal plate, and then exposed to acid. The longer the plate is exposed to the acid, the deeper the lines become and the darker they appear when printed. Notice the rich, dark lines that define the wooden planks of the barn, achieved through extended acid exposure. In contrast, the fleece of the sheep is rendered with finer, lighter lines, suggesting a softer texture. This manipulation of the material is an important skill, traditionally passed down through artistic training. In the 19th century, artists like de Graaff aimed to depict everyday life, reflecting an interest in rural labor and the agricultural sector. Etchings, like this one, democratized art, making it accessible to a wider audience through mass production, challenging established hierarchies and raising the profile of craft-based artistic practices.