Ancient Sacrifice 1740 - 1801

Philippe Louis Parizeau created this print called 'Ancient Sacrifice', using etching, a printmaking technique, on paper. The etched line is prominent here, clearly defining the figures and their emotional gestures. The print was made by coating a metal plate with a waxy, acid-resistant substance, and then scratching an image into that coating. When the plate is dipped in acid, the exposed lines are eaten away, creating grooves. Ink is then applied to the plate, and paper is pressed into it, transferring the image. The etched line lends itself to intricate detail, but also to mass production – a far cry from the unique, hand-worked qualities we associate with drawing or painting. Parizeau has embraced this duality, using the medium to convey both the drama of the sacrificial scene, and the cool remove of an image made for circulation. By understanding the methods and materials, we can grasp how this print bridges the gap between the fine arts and more commercial forms of image-making.