Naakte vrouw met amor 1746 - 1836

This print, "Naakte vrouw met amor", was made by Jean Edme Nochez, sometime in the late 18th century. It’s made using the intaglio process, a method by which an image is incised into a metal plate, usually copper. The artist would have used a tool to cut lines into the metal, creating a network of grooves that hold ink. The plate would then be inked, and the surface wiped clean, leaving ink only in the etched lines. Finally, paper is pressed against the plate with great force, transferring the ink to create the image. The character of the line in an intaglio print – sharp, precise, and capable of capturing fine detail – lends itself well to this type of allegorical scene. The material also gives the image a sense of formality and order, fitting for the aristocratic sensibilities of the time. This print shows how deeply the language of craft was embedded in the art world.