Oude man en profile 1770

Jean Jacques de Boissieu made this etching, titled "Oude man en profile," using a metal plate, likely copper, and acid. The fine lines of the image were achieved by applying a resist, incising through it, and then bathing the plate in acid, which bites away the exposed metal. The character of the lines, their density and direction, give the portrait its compelling appearance. The artist likely used a tool called a burin to scratch the lines onto the plate. The etched lines create texture and depth, capturing the man’s aged skin and contemplative expression. Etching was part of a printmaking tradition geared toward widespread circulation, a move toward making art more accessible. This etching’s very appeal lies in the artist’s skill, and ability to render a sense of human presence. This work blurs boundaries between fine art and the graphic arts, reminding us of the labor involved in producing what might seem like a simple image.