After Giorgio Barbarelli da Castelfranco (1477 – 1510), made by Jan van Troyen (1610 – 1670): ‘Arolsen Klebeband 13’

The Arolsen Castle Library is known for its “tape” books or “klebeband” books. These are blank books that could be filled with engravings that were popular among nobility. The Arolsen books are still intact, while many others have been disassembled in the past. These have been digitised by a society created specifically for this purpose. Made on possibly thin scooped paper, no watermark visible.

‘Etching’

Etching is considered the most important technique for producing prints by old masters. It is a very traditional process discovered by Daniel Hopfer (1470 – 1536) in Germany. Daniel Hopfer already used the etching technique on combat clothing before applying it to make a print. A strong acid or pickling agent is used to cut metal surfaces (usually copper, zinc or steel). The metal plate is covered with a waxy soil which is resistant to acid. The artist then scratches his or her design into the metal with different types of etching needles. After a bath of acid or pickling agent, the scratched metal undergoes a redox reaction, leaving the drawing in the wax on the plate. Ink is poured over the plate and wiped off again to fill in the scratched areas. By then pressing the plate in paper, an etching is created.