Galopperende ruiter 1778

This print, Galloping Rider, was made by Daniel Nikolaus Chodowiecki using etching, a printmaking technique that democratized image production in the 18th century. The etcher covers a metal plate with a waxy ground, then scratches an image into that surface with a needle. The plate is then submerged in acid, which bites away the exposed lines. Ink is applied, the surface wiped clean, and the image is printed. This highly skilled practice allowed for the relatively quick reproduction of images. Look closely, and you’ll see the intricate detail Chodowiecki was able to achieve, and consider the labour involved at each stage. The rise of printmaking was closely aligned with the emergence of modern commerce and the growth of cities, answering a demand for affordable images that circulated widely, far beyond the circles of the wealthy.