Vier lopende herten 1819 - 1881

This image of running deer was etched by Johannes Tavenraat in the 19th century. The technique of etching involves drawing with a sharp needle through a waxy ground on a metal plate. The plate is then immersed in acid, which bites into the exposed lines. The longer the plate remains in the acid, the deeper the lines, and the more ink they will hold when printed. Here, Tavenraat has used this process to create an image full of movement, contrasting the dark, deeply bitten lines of the foreground deer with the lighter, more delicate lines of the background. The immediacy of the drawn line is retained in the print, giving it a sense of spontaneity. It is important to note that this print is not just a representation of deer, but also the result of a specific set of skills and processes, a convergence of craft, design, and materiality.