Figuur loopt op een heuvel in het bos 1850 - 1913

H. van Meerbeeck made this print, *Figuur loopt op een heuvel in het bos*, with etching, a printmaking technique. A metal plate, usually copper or zinc, is coated with a waxy, acid-resistant substance called a ground. The artist then scratches an image into the ground with a pointed tool, exposing the metal beneath. The plate is then immersed in acid, which bites into the exposed lines, creating grooves. The longer the plate remains in the acid, the deeper the lines become, allowing for a wide range of tones and textures. Once the etching process is complete, the plate is inked, and the surface is wiped clean, leaving ink only in the etched lines. Finally, paper is pressed against the plate, transferring the image onto the paper. In this print, we can see how the etched lines capture the bare trees and the figure walking up the hill, their form and materiality influenced by the artist's hand and the process of etching. By considering these materials, making, and context, we can fully appreciate the cultural and social significance of van Meerbeeck's work, and question the traditional separation of fine art and craft.