Portret van Paul Schultze 1953

This is Huub Gerretsen's portrait of Paul Schultze, made with etching on paper. The magic of etching lies in its indirect approach. First, the artist covers a metal plate with a waxy, acid-resistant ground. Then, using a sharp needle, they draw through this ground, exposing the metal beneath. The plate is then submerged in acid, which bites into the exposed lines. The longer the bath, the deeper the lines, and the darker they will appear in the print. Once the ground is removed, ink is applied to the plate, filling the etched lines. The surface is wiped clean, and the image is transferred to paper under immense pressure. Look closely, and you can see how Gerretsen has used this process to create a range of tones and textures, from the delicate lines of Schultze's face to the richer blacks of his coat. This isn’t just a picture; it’s a record of a skilled hand at work, coaxing an image from metal, acid, and ink. It's a potent reminder that every artwork is born from a process, a collaboration between artist and material.