Plate from Book of Vases 1700 - 1800

This print of a design for a vase was made by Jacques de La Joue the Younger in the 18th century, using etching. This process involves coating a metal plate with wax, scratching an image into the wax, and then using acid to bite away the exposed metal, leaving an incised line that can then be inked and printed. The final image displays a complex and ornate design, featuring classical figures, shells, and swirling forms. But it’s the *making* of this image that really commands our attention. The etcher's hand is evident in every delicate line and shadow. Each mark represents a decision, a skilled manipulation of tools and materials. The image has a directness and immediacy but also is the result of a series of steps, and the technical mastery of the printmaker. The print makes us consider how the design for an object, can be just as precious as the object itself, and the amount of work involved in the production process. It challenges traditional distinctions between fine art and craft.