Man met zwaard om zijn schouder 1757 - 1824

Cornelis Adrianus van Hoogstraten made this etching of a man with a sword around the 18th century. Etching is an printmaking process that relies on metal plates, acid and a lot of physical skill. The artist would have coated a metal plate, likely copper, with a waxy, acid-resistant substance known as the ground, then used a sharp needle to scratch away the ground, revealing the metal underneath. The plate is then submerged in acid, which bites into the exposed lines, creating grooves. Ink is applied to the plate, filling these grooves, and the surface is wiped clean. Finally, the plate is pressed onto paper, transferring the ink and creating the image. The quality of the print depends greatly on the preparation of the plate, how much the artist allows the acid to bite, and the pressure applied during printing. Hoogstraten’s attention to these details creates a fine, delicate image of the man. Paying attention to the materials and labor involved in etching helps us appreciate the time and skill required to create each print, blurring the lines between craft and fine art.