Abraham Entertaining the Angels 1656

Rembrandt van Rijn created this etching, Abraham Entertaining the Angels, using metal and acid. To make a print like this, the artist would have covered a metal plate with a waxy, acid-resistant ground. Then, using a sharp needle, he would have drawn through the wax to expose the metal beneath. Immersed in acid, the exposed lines would bite into the plate, creating grooves that hold ink. The plate is then inked, wiped clean, and pressed onto paper, transferring the image. Note the economy of Rembrandt's line. With a few deftly etched strokes, he brings depth and tonality to the scene. The varying densities of the lines create the illusion of shadow and light. Look, for example, at the contrast between the heavy lines of the doorway, and the much lighter strokes that describe the figure of Isaac drawing water. In essence, printmaking is a process that democratizes images, making them widely available. In this way, Rembrandt utilized craft to disseminate his artistic vision, blurring the lines between art, production, and accessibility.