Rokende boer met de arm over een stoelleuning 1650 - 1654

This etching of a ‘Smoking Peasant’ was made by Adriaen van Ostade, a Dutch artist working in the 17th century. Ostade made many images of working people, and this one gives us a sense of the textures and tones that were possible with the etching process. Lines are created on a metal plate using a sharp needle, then acid is applied, biting into the metal. The deeper the bite, the more ink the line will hold. The plate is then inked and pressed onto paper. Notice the density of lines used to define the figure’s face, and clothing. Ostade created a range of light and dark effects with just a few simple tools. While etching may not be as physically demanding as some other art forms, such as sculpture, it still requires considerable skill and precision. The resulting print gives us a window into the life of a 17th-century peasant, while also showcasing the artistry and craftsmanship of the printmaking process.