Vrouw wordt meegetrokken door soldaat bij beeld van Pan 1762 - 1804

This print, by Barent de Bakker, was made with etching, a printmaking technique dating back to the early 16th century. It involves using acid to cut into a metal plate, which is then inked and used to create multiple impressions. The fine lines we see here, describing the figures and foliage, are the direct result of this process. The artist would have applied a waxy, acid-resistant coating to the plate, then scratched away the lines of the design. When the plate was dipped in acid, these exposed areas would be eaten away, creating grooves that hold the ink. Printmaking allowed for the relatively inexpensive reproduction of images, disseminating visual information widely. This particular image captures a scene of social tension and perhaps violence, set against a backdrop of classical idealism – the statue of Pan. This juxtaposition, made possible through the technology of print, invites reflection on the contradictions within society itself. It shows us that even a "lowly" medium like printmaking can offer profound insight.