Ontmoeting tussen dwergen 1620 - 1664

Stefano della Bella created this etching, "Meeting of Dwarves," using metal, acid, and ink. The controlled corrosion of the metal plate is what gives this print its distinctive look. Della Bella would have drawn his design into a waxy ground, then submerged the plate in acid. The longer it soaked, the deeper the lines. This demanded great skill. The resulting matrix was then inked and pressed onto paper, leaving us with the image we see. Looking closely, notice how the varying depths of the etched lines create a sense of volume and shadow. The artist masterfully uses cross-hatching to build up darker tones, giving the figures weight and presence. The line becomes more than just a boundary; it’s a tool for sculpting form and capturing light. Think about the labour involved in this meticulous process and the social context of printmaking. Etchings like this were relatively affordable, making art accessible to a wider audience than paintings or sculptures. The print becomes a medium for social commentary, documenting and perhaps even poking fun at the society of its time. Appreciating the material process allows us to consider how the hierarchies of "fine art" and "craft" play out in this fascinating image.