Twee hanen 1842 - 1897

This print, titled "Twee hanen", or "Two Roosters," was made by Christiaan Lodewijk van Kesteren using etching, a process that intertwines labor, skill, and industrial capacity. The image begins as a drawing, before being transferred onto a metal plate. The artist then covers the plate with a waxy, acid-resistant coating, before scratching away areas to expose the bare metal. After this, the plate is submerged in acid, which bites into the exposed lines, creating grooves. Ink is then applied to the plate, filling the etched lines, and the surface is wiped clean. Finally, the plate is pressed onto paper, transferring the inked image. Look closely at the fine lines that define the roosters' plumage and the landscape. Etching allowed for detailed and repeatable imagery, democratizing art through printmaking. The level of skill required highlights the value of trained labor in artistic production. Considering the materials, techniques, and social context of the piece allows us to appreciate the work as a product of its time, enmeshed in the broader industrial and cultural landscape.