Annunciatie 1615 - 1691

This delicate Annunciation scene was etched in metal, by an anonymous artist. The etching process begins by coating a metal plate with a waxy, acid-resistant ground. The artist then uses a needle to scratch an image into this ground, exposing the metal beneath. When the plate is immersed in acid, the exposed lines are bitten, creating grooves. These grooves hold ink, which is then transferred to paper under pressure, resulting in a print with characteristic fine lines. The quality of the line speaks to the artist's control and skill. What might seem like a quick sketch was actually a labor-intensive, indirect process, involving the skillful manipulation of materials and tools. Looking at the work this way, we can appreciate the full measure of the artist's accomplishment, and question the conventional separation of craft and fine art.