Poeten og hans Velyndere 1760

Alexia von Lode created "The Poet and His Patrons" using etching, a printmaking technique, in the 18th century. The etching process involves drawing an image into a wax-coated metal plate with a sharp needle. Acid is then applied, biting into the exposed lines, leaving an incised design. The plate is inked, and then pressed onto paper. Look closely, and you will observe the final image shows very fine, precise lines and subtle tonal variations, achieved by controlling the depth of the acid bite. Given the social commentary evident in the image, this print likely circulated amongst a specific audience familiar with the economic realities of artistic patronage. Von Lode is highlighting the relationship between the creative labor of the poet and the economic support of the patrons. The artist is showing these dependencies and exploring how wealth and class influence artistic production. So, next time you see a print, remember that the image is only part of the story. The medium, with all its material and social implications, is just as important.