A Look Behind the Scenes
Etched in Old Master Style – Putting Effects to the Test
Within the Acid Lab, the Kupferstichkabinett invites experts from outside the museum to share their knowledge with colleagues from the Kunstmuseum. The first event kicked off at the end of June 2022 with a visit from Wolfgang Schwahn, paper conservator at the Veste Coburg art collections.
Consulting historical sources, he has re-concocted acid-resistant etching grounds and etched plates in the style of the old masters. This perspective from within praxis sheds light on many effects about which the artists themselves often kept silent.
Under the magnifying glass: Daniel Hopfer (c. 1470–1536), Kaiser Karl V., etching (line and tone etching from iron plate), Kunstmuseum Basel, Kupferstichkabinett, Aus. K. 18.12.30, Amerbach Cabinet
Wolfgang Schwahn explains the sheets and plates on which he himself has recreated historical etching techniques and recipes to the team of the Kupferstichkabinett and the Paper Conservation department of the Kunstmuseum Basel.
