The artist's mother: head only, full face 1628

Here we see Rembrandt van Rijn's etching of his mother's head, a print of modest size, made in 1628. Its apparent simplicity belies a sophisticated process. Rembrandt created the image by coating a copper plate with wax, then drawing into it with a needle. The plate was then submerged in acid, which bit away the exposed lines. This painstaking work was essential to creating the final print, which is a mirror image of the plate. The density of the etched lines creates a rich tonal range, and the way that Rembrandt exploits the medium, suggests the dignity, character, and experience etched on his mother’s face. Etching has a distinctly different character to drawing or painting; it's a multiple, something between a unique artwork and a mass-produced image. Considering materials, making, and context enhances our understanding, challenging any simplistic division between fine art and craft.