Pevensey Castle 1652 - 1677

Wenceslaus Hollar made this print of Pevensey Castle in Sussex, using a technique called etching. With etching, a metal plate, often copper, is coated with a waxy, acid-resistant material. The artist then scratches an image into this coating, exposing the metal. When the plate is submerged in acid, the exposed lines are eaten away, creating grooves. Ink is applied to the plate, filling these grooves, and then the surface is wiped clean. Finally, paper is pressed onto the plate, transferring the ink and creating the print. Looking closely, you can see the fine lines that define the castle’s ruins and the surrounding landscape. Hollar’s skill lies in controlling the depth and density of these lines to create a sense of depth, texture, and light. The print is small, but within that constraint, Hollar gave a detailed rendering of a historic landmark, feeding the appetite of the public for images of places both near and far. By appreciating the craft involved in etching, we can understand how prints like this one were not just reproductions, but original artworks in their own right.