"U(llykkelig) H(ændelse)" Nr. 12 1787

This print, "U(llykkelig) H(ændelse)" Nr. 12, was made by Georg Christian Schule, likely around 1792, using an engraving technique. Engraving involves meticulously incising lines into a metal plate, in this case probably copper, with a tool called a burin. Ink is then applied to the plate, pushed into the etched lines, and the surface wiped clean. When paper is pressed against the plate, the image transfers, creating a fine, detailed print. The stark contrast of the black ink against the white paper, and the precision of the engraved lines, lend a dramatic, almost theatrical quality to the scene. The labor-intensive nature of engraving meant prints like these were often luxury items, circulated among a relatively elite audience. The image is of a dramatic scene, perhaps from a play, in which fashionable people are confronting loss. Consider the skilled hand and time required to produce each print, a reminder of the craftsmanship embedded even in what might seem like a simple image. Appreciating the material and the making helps us understand its original social context.