Fries met aan de linkerkant een sfinx met een vissenstaart 1580 - 1623

This intriguing frieze, depicting a sphinx with a fish tail on the left, was made by an anonymous artist using the graphic technique of etching. The fine, precise lines suggest the use of a sharp tool, likely a needle, to incise an image into a coated metal plate. Acid would then have bitten into the exposed lines, allowing for ink to be held and transferred onto paper. The material qualities of the metal plate and the artist's skillful manipulation of the etching process have resulted in an image with incredible detail. Consider how the process of etching, with its reliance on careful handwork and chemical reactions, reflects a time of both craft production and burgeoning scientific exploration. The very act of printing allowed for these images to be widely distributed, fueling a growing culture of visual communication, commerce, and collecting. So, next time you look at a print, think about its full meaning, and challenge the established definitions of art and craft.