Kakkasenius 1796 - 1802

"Kakkasenius" (1796 - 1802) is an etching by Danish artist M. W. Schmith (1696 - 1802), now held at the Statens Museum for Kunst. It depicts a figure seated in a chair, holding a mortar, surrounded by a still life of various implements and substances. The work's title, likely a satirical reference to a "kakkase" (a type of pottery), suggests a humorous commentary on the subject matter, possibly a commentary on the medical profession or the practices of alchemy. The etching, with its meticulous detail and use of lines, is a prime example of Schmith's masterful skills in this medium.