En bjergstad 1740s

Jens Knudsen made this etching of a mountain city sometime between 1650 and 1750. The image is made up of many small, closely placed lines scratched onto a metal plate, and then printed. Look closely, and you can see how the material qualities of the metal plate influence the image. The incised lines are precise, allowing for detailed depiction of the buildings and landscape. Each tiny mark required focused labor by the artist. The matrix of lines creates tone and shading, giving depth to the scene. Printmaking allowed artists like Knudsen to circulate images widely. Etchings like this one provided visual information about far-off places, and satisfied a growing public appetite for landscapes and cityscapes. By understanding the skilled making process and its social context, we gain a deeper appreciation for the artistry involved in creating these early printed images. It reminds us to value the work and the artistic traditions involved in their production.