Essais de Gravûre: Livre Premier, Livre Second, Livre Troisieme 1703 - 1708

R. Lafage made this engraving, Essais de Gravûre, around 1703 to advertise the work of Pierre Bourdon. Note that the medium here is not ink on paper, but rather the deliberate cutting and scratching of a metal plate. Engraving is an indirect process. The artist has to plan their composition in reverse, and apply considerable force to incise the image. You can see how the network of fine lines creates the image, and also provides tone and texture. The very qualities of the printed image are also a testament to the labor involved in the making of the plate. The print was not intended as a precious artwork, but rather as a tradesman's advertisement. Its function was to reach other artisans, clockmakers, engravers, goldsmiths, and stone carvers. The fact that the print was relatively cheap and easy to reproduce meant that Bourdon's designs could be disseminated widely, and could reach a large number of potential clients. It is a reminder that the distinction between fine art and functional graphics is a relatively recent one.