Slapend hondje 1858

This etching, ‘Slapend Hondje’ or ‘Sleeping Dog’, was created by Jacobus Cornelis Gaal. The making of an etching begins with a metal plate, traditionally copper or zinc, coated with a waxy, acid-resistant ground. The artist then scratches an image into this ground, exposing the metal beneath. When the plate is immersed in acid, the exposed lines are bitten, creating grooves. Ink is then applied to the plate, filling these grooves, and the surface is wiped clean. Finally, the plate is pressed against a sheet of paper, transferring the ink and producing the print. This indirect process, mediated by acid, creates a unique texture different from direct engraving. Gaal’s skill is evident in the delicate lines that capture the soft fur and relaxed form of the sleeping dog. By understanding the labor-intensive printmaking process, we can appreciate not only the image itself but also the artist's technical expertise and the cultural value placed on handcrafted images in a pre-photographic era.