The Banks of the Seine at Bezons 1869

Maxime Lalanne made this print, "The Banks of the Seine at Bezons," using a technique called etching. Etching involves covering a metal plate with a waxy, protective coating, drawing through that coating to expose the metal, and then immersing the plate in acid. The acid eats away at the exposed lines, creating grooves that hold ink. This is then printed onto paper. The material qualities of the metal plate and the acid bath dictate the depth and character of the lines. Look closely, and you'll see the intricate network of lines. This wasn’t spontaneous; it required careful planning and skillful execution. Lalanne was deeply engaged with the industrial culture of his time. Etching was a commercially viable medium, used for reproducing images widely. His choice of subject matter—a working landscape along the Seine—reflects an interest in the intersection of nature, labor, and emerging industrial activity. It serves as a reminder that art is not just about the final image, but about the materials, processes, and the social context in which it was made.