Autumn 1766 - 1812

Etienne Claude Voysard made this print, "Autumn," using etching and engraving techniques. These processes involve meticulously incising lines into a metal plate, inking the plate, and then transferring the image onto paper. The fineness of the lines suggests a high degree of skill and labor. Consider the ways that the printmaking process, with its reliance on reproducible lines, relates to the theme of the artwork. The image presents an allegorical figure of Autumn, surrounded by symbols of abundance. But the print medium itself, capable of infinite reproduction, speaks to a different kind of abundance – the proliferation of images within a growing consumer culture. This contrast raises questions about the relationship between art, labor, and the commodification of nature. Was this a commentary on the changing relationship with the agricultural cycle? By considering its materials and processes, we can see "Autumn" as more than just a seasonal representation, but a reflection on the social and economic transformations of its time.