Falstaff at Justice Shallow's Mustering His Recruits (Shakespeare, Henry IV, Part II, Act 3, Scene 2) 1792

This print, made by William Nelson Gardiner, captures a scene from Shakespeare’s Henry IV. It was made using a technique called etching. The artist would have coated a metal plate with wax, drawn into it with a needle, and then bathed the plate in acid. The acid bites away the exposed metal, creating fine lines that hold ink. Gardiner would have needed skill with both drawing and chemistry to create this image. The fine lines create a wealth of detail, from the folds of Falstaff’s voluminous clothing to the expressions on the faces of the recruits. The effect is delicate, but also captures the boisterous energy of the scene. Prints like this were relatively inexpensive, which meant that Shakespeare’s plays could reach a broader audience through these kinds of reproductions. The print medium democratizes access to imagery, and its relatively low cost aligns with the play’s own focus on commoners and everyday life. Looking at the materials and processes used in an artwork like this reminds us that art isn’t just about the image; it’s also about the making and its social context.