Staand paard met twee op de grond zittende mannen 1815

Adam von Bartsch made this print, "Standing Horse with Two Men Sitting on the Ground", using etching techniques. The image is made up of lines, created by scratching into a wax-coated metal plate, and then bathing it in acid. This is a chemical process, but also intensely manual; Bartsch would have controlled the depth and character of the lines by varying the pressure and duration of the etching. Look closely, and you can see the range of marks he achieved, from the delicate shading on the horse’s flank to the deeper lines defining its legs. The etching process allowed for multiple impressions to be made, making art more accessible. However, each print still required skillful labor. This print invites us to consider the labour of both the artist and the figures depicted, inviting reflections on the social and economic landscape of the time. It reminds us that artistic creation, like any other form of work, is rooted in specific conditions and materials.