Clelie's Flight c. 1763 - 1764

Editor: This is "Clelie's Flight" by Jean-Honoré Fragonard, an etching. The frenetic lines create a sense of urgency, but I’m curious about the process here. What can you tell me about Fragonard’s approach to making this print? Curator: Well, consider the etching process itself. The copper plate, the acid bath, the physical labor involved in creating those lines—they’re all part of the image's meaning. Doesn't the raw energy we perceive stem directly from this intense method? Editor: So the medium itself is a commentary? Curator: Precisely. The print wasn't just a reproduction; it was a distinct artistic endeavor, a product of specific tools and labor. That’s something I hadn’t considered before. Editor: I never looked at it that way! Thanks.