Tobias, Sara en de engel nemen afscheid van Raguel en Edna 1556 - 1579

This print, “Tobias, Sara and the angel say goodbye to Raguel and Edna”, was made by an anonymous artist. The medium is etching, a printmaking technique that requires considerable skill. The plate would first be coated with a waxy, acid-resistant ground. The artist then scratches an image into this coating with a fine needle, exposing the metal beneath. When the plate is immersed in acid, the exposed lines are eaten away, creating grooves. Ink is then applied to the plate, filling these grooves. The surface is wiped clean, and the image is transferred to paper under high pressure. The linear quality of the image, and the precision achieved, speaks to a highly refined process, demanding both technical expertise and a steady hand. Printmaking like this depended on a division of labor, from the mining and refining of metals to the production of paper. Each impression pulled from the plate represents a small act of reproduction, contributing to a wider circulation of images and ideas. Paying attention to the material processes reveals the social context in which this print was created. By considering the work involved in its production, we can better appreciate its value as both a work of art and a commodity.