Harlekijn in domino maakt een meisje het hof, Pierrot kijkt toe van de achtergrond 1847 - 1909

This print, by Edgar Alfred Baes, shows a Harlequin wooing a girl, while Pierrot looks on. It was made using etching, a printmaking technique that dates back to the Middle Ages. To create an etching, the artist first coats a metal plate with a waxy, acid-resistant substance known as a ground. The image is then scratched into this ground with a needle, exposing the metal. When the plate is immersed in acid, the exposed lines are eaten away, creating grooves. These grooves hold the ink, which is then transferred to paper under high pressure, resulting in the finished print. The appeal of etching lies in its ability to capture fine details and subtle gradations of tone. Looking closely, you can see how Baes used this process to create delicate lines and intricate textures in the costumes and setting. The precision required reflects the skill of the artist and the labor-intensive nature of printmaking. By appreciating both the image and the material process behind it, we gain a richer understanding of the work.