Man op een ezel 1644 - 1733

This print, titled "Man on a Donkey," was made by an anonymous artist using etching. The material qualities of this print reveal much about its production. The lines, etched into a metal plate, capture a scene of pastoral life, a man riding a donkey amidst sheep and a rugged landscape. The process of etching involves applying a waxy, protective coating to a metal plate, drawing through it to expose the metal, and then submerging the plate in acid. The acid bites into the exposed lines, creating grooves that hold ink. This technique, which emerged in the early 16th century, allowed for the relatively quick and easy reproduction of images, and would have been considered a modern technology at the time. Consider how the availability of reproducible images has democratized art, challenging notions of artistic uniqueness and value. The act of creating multiple impressions invites a wider audience to engage with the artwork.