Titelblad: Nouveaux siure de Bersseaux. Et Trilliages. Cabinet before 1800

This print, made by an anonymous artist, presents an architectural design. Its fine lines are achieved through etching, a printmaking technique with a long and fascinating history. The process begins with a metal plate, usually copper, coated with a waxy, acid-resistant substance. The artist then draws through this coating with a sharp needle, exposing the metal beneath. When the plate is dipped in acid, the exposed lines are eaten away, creating grooves. The deeper the lines are etched, the more ink they will hold. Once the etching is complete, the plate is inked, and the surface wiped clean, leaving ink only in the etched lines. Paper is then pressed onto the plate, transferring the ink and creating the print. The resulting image, like this one, has a unique quality, defined by the precision and delicacy of the etched lines. This was a highly skilled and laborious process, demanding expertise and precision. Etchings like these were luxury items, demonstrating the sophistication and taste of their owners.