Marteling van een halfnaakte vrouw 1681 - 1699

Arnold Houbraken created this etching titled ‘Marteling van een halfnaakte vrouw’ - or ‘Torture of a Half-Naked Woman’ - using metal and acid. The fine lines that define the scene are achieved through a labor-intensive process, where the artist covers a metal plate with a waxy, acid-resistant substance. They then draw their design, exposing the metal beneath. When the plate is submerged in acid, it bites into the exposed lines, creating grooves that will hold ink. The act of printing demands careful application of ink, meticulous wiping of the plate’s surface, and the immense pressure of the printing press. The stark contrast between the light and shadow heightens the drama, drawing our attention to the violence being enacted. Etchings like this were relatively cheap to produce and readily available. Considering the social context, the print serves as a commentary on power, violence, and vulnerability. It makes us think about the relationship between art, craft, and the wider world.