O Nature! 1880

"O Nature!" was etched by Félicien Rops, though we don't have a confirmed date. The medium is etching, a printmaking technique with a long and fascinating history. Rops would have coated a metal plate with a waxy, acid-resistant substance, and then scratched his image into that coating. The plate was then submerged in acid, which bit into the exposed metal, creating lines. Ink was then applied to the etched lines, and the plate pressed onto paper. The beauty of etching lies in its reproducibility. Rops could create multiple identical prints from a single plate, making his art more accessible. Etching emerged in the context of a burgeoning print market that fueled artistic exchange and allowed artists to reach a wider audience beyond the traditional patronage system. The lines in this print are delicate, created using immense skill in controlling the acid-biting process, and capturing a fleeting scene with dogs. As you consider this image, remember it as a product of artistry, craft, and the social context of its time.