L'Inconnu 1862

Félix Bracquemond made this print, "L'Inconnu," or "The Unknown," in France using etching and engraving techniques. It pictures a duck curiously examining a turtle. The etching was created during a period in the 19th century when there was a revival of interest in printmaking as a fine art form. This movement occurred in tandem with the rise of Realism and Impressionism, which emphasized direct observation and the depiction of everyday subjects. The image creates meaning through the close observation of nature, and the detailed rendering of the animals and plants in their natural habitat. Bracquemond was part of a circle of artists and critics who sought to elevate printmaking to the level of painting and sculpture, advocating for its recognition as a distinct and valuable art form. To fully understand Bracquemond's work, we can consult exhibition reviews and artists' letters, which often provide valuable information about the artistic debates of the time, and the place of printmaking within them.