Twee dwergen voor de maand juli, 1720 1718 - 1720

Joost van Sassen’s etching from 1720, presents us with “Two Dwarfs for the Month of July,” rendered in ink on paper. The etching technique, of carving into a metal plate, inking it, and then pressing the image onto paper, was a key technology for disseminating images at the time, reflecting the rise of print culture and a growing public sphere. The artist has used line work, hatching, and cross-hatching to model the forms of the figures and give the image a sense of depth and shadow. Note how the artist makes use of the material qualities of ink and paper. The crispness of the lines, the contrast between black and white, and the ability to create multiple identical impressions – all of these contribute to the image's impact and its function as a form of social commentary. Consider also the labor involved; the careful work of the engraver, the production of paper, the distribution of the final print. By attending to materials and processes, we gain insight into the artwork’s historical and cultural significance, questioning the divide between fine art and everyday life.