Twee honden 1814 - 1878

This small etching of two dogs was made by David van der Kellen in the 19th century, and it’s a great example of how a simple medium can be used to create a surprisingly complex image. Van der Kellen used a technique called etching to create this print. He would have covered a metal plate with a waxy substance, then drawn his design into the wax with a sharp needle. The plate was then submerged in acid, which ate away at the exposed metal, leaving behind an incised line. This process would have been repeated for different levels of tone and contrast. The image’s strength lies in its material qualities. The texture of the paper, the way the ink sits on its surface, and the delicate lines all contribute to its overall effect. It’s also worth noting the amount of labor involved in creating an etching like this; it wasn’t a quick or easy process. So next time you look at an artwork, remember to consider the materials and processes that went into making it. These can tell you a lot about the artist, the culture they lived in, and the value they placed on craft and skill.