Drie voorstellingen uit Schillers Räubern 1782

These three scenes from Schiller's Räubern were made by Daniel Nikolaus Chodowiecki, likely in the late 18th century, using the intaglio printmaking process of etching. The material qualities of this print – the fine lines, the subtle gradations of tone – speak to the artist's mastery and the precision of the etching technique. The process involves coating a metal plate with a waxy ground, drawing through it with a needle, and then immersing the plate in acid. The acid bites into the exposed metal, creating incised lines that hold ink. This labor-intensive process, akin to that of an engraver, allowed for the relatively easy reproduction and dissemination of images during the Enlightenment. As a commercial artist, Chodowiecki made his living through this reproductive technology, catering to the growing middle class. The very act of making prints available to a wider audience democratized art, challenging traditional hierarchies between high art and craft.