H. Hieronymus met een crucifix 1749 - 1799

This etching, portraying Saint Jerome with a crucifix, was made by François Joseph Lonsing in the late 18th century. The process of etching involves covering a metal plate with a waxy, acid-resistant coating. The artist then scratches an image into the coating, exposing the metal. When acid is applied, it bites into the exposed lines, creating grooves that hold ink. Lonsing’s image is made up of thousands of these tiny etched lines. Look closely, and you’ll see how he varies their density and direction to create areas of light and shadow. Consider the labor involved in creating such intricate details, and the skill required to control the etching process. The final print, made by pressing paper against the inked plate, bears the marks of this labor. The printmaking process allowed for the mass production and distribution of images, making art more accessible to a wider audience, but also transforming the role of the artist, with the work eventually becoming another commodity in the market.