Bijeenkomst van voddenrapers 1859

Léopold Flameng made this etching, Bijeenkomst van voddenrapers, using metal plates and acid. The process of etching involves coating a metal plate with a waxy, acid-resistant substance, then scratching an image into the wax. When dipped in acid, the exposed metal is eaten away, creating lines that hold ink. The plate is then cleaned, inked, and pressed onto paper, transferring the image. Flameng’s choice of this printmaking method is significant; the medium of etching is well suited to capturing the gritty texture and somber atmosphere of a scene populated by ragpickers. The fine lines and tonal variations achievable with etching allow for a detailed depiction of the figures' clothing, faces, and surroundings. The material and process of etching contribute directly to the artwork’s ability to convey a sense of social realism. By focusing on the material reality and making of this etching, we can appreciate how Flameng elevated the lives of working-class individuals to the realm of fine art.