Vrouw met hond 1748 - 1795

Jan Chalon created this print of a woman with a dog sometime in the late 18th century, using etching techniques. Etching involves coating a metal plate with a waxy, acid-resistant substance known as the 'ground.' The artist then scratches an image into this ground, exposing the metal beneath. The plate is then immersed in acid, which bites into the exposed lines. The longer the plate stays in the acid, the deeper the lines, influencing the darkness of the printed line. This skilled process would have allowed for the relatively easy reproduction of images. Prints like this fueled the rise of visual culture at the time, as they could be produced in multiples and traded or sold on the open market. The subtle textures created by the etching process also lend the image a sense of intimacy and immediacy, inviting the viewer to engage with the subject matter. Considering the materials, making, and social context of this print helps us appreciate it as both a work of art and a product of its time.