Landschap met man met paard een rivier overstekend c. 1663 - 1726

Editor: This is "Landscape with a Man and Horse Crossing a River," an etching and engraving by Moise Jean Baptiste Fouard, dating roughly from 1663 to 1726. There's something really captivating in the detail and the fine lines he's managed to achieve. What do you notice about the materials and production of this piece? Curator: The most striking aspect is indeed Fouard's skillful manipulation of the etching and engraving processes. Consider the materials – the copper plate, the various acids used to etch the lines, the tools for engraving. The varying line weights suggests a carefully planned process, working with the plate to coax out this image. Are we meant to admire the landscape, or are we to marvel at the skill of the artist and labor involved? Editor: So it's less about the idyllic scene and more about recognizing the means to create this image. It makes you consider what that labour actually *is*... Curator: Exactly. Etching and engraving, in this period, also spoke to a certain level of technical skill and access to workshops. Note the inscription at the bottom - "Paris chez F. Mariette." This piece wasn't just created, it was also *produced* and circulated through a network. Fouard and Mariette were tied by means of creating the art and means of distribution to a market to reach a customer. Consider how the etching might have been more affordable than a painting and, thus, disseminated artistic trends more widely. What does it tell us about the art market in 17th century Paris? Editor: It's interesting how understanding the 'how' changes our appreciation of the 'what'. I'll definitely be looking closer at the processes behind the artworks we discuss next. Curator: Indeed! Paying close attention to such "minor" material details helps bring art closer to the everyday experience of the society from which it came.