['Eight birds', 'Friezes with birds'] c. 1630

Bartholomeus van Lochom created this small frieze with birds using etching, a printmaking technique, sometime in the 17th century. In etching, a metal plate is coated with a waxy, acid-resistant substance. The artist then draws through this coating, exposing the metal. When the plate is submerged in acid, the drawn lines are etched into the metal. This painstaking process requires great dexterity. Van Lochom then inked the plate, wiped away the excess, and pressed paper against it to transfer the image. Notice the crisp lines and fine details that define each bird and its plumage. The contrast between the lines and the plain background accentuate the texture and depth of the image. The printmaking process allowed for the reproduction and dissemination of images like this one. As a result, we might consider this print not just as art, but also as a commodity, created through skilled labor and intended for consumption in the bustling art markets of the Dutch Golden Age. By understanding the means of production, we recognize the value embedded in this small yet intricate work.