Monument met medaillon van vrouw bij altaar 1787

Theodoor Koning created this monument with a medallion of a woman by an altar using etching techniques sometime in the late 18th century. Etching is an printmaking process, where lines are incised in a metal plate with acid. Look closely and you can see the fine, precise lines that define the monument's architectural details, the woman's draped figure, and the surrounding foliage. The etcher's craft lies in controlling the acid's bite to achieve varying depths and tones. The monument's design evokes classical antiquity, a popular theme during the Neoclassical period. The detailed work involved in creating such an etching suggests a considerable investment of time and skill, reflecting the value placed on craftsmanship and artistic virtuosity in Koning's time. Paying attention to such details challenges any separation between 'high art' and skilled craft.