Jager bezoekt een vrouw aan haar toilet 1771

This print, ‘Jager bezoekt een vrouw aan haar toilet’ was made by François Robert Ingouf. He rendered this intimate scene through the technique of etching, a printmaking process that uses acid to corrode the unprotected parts of a metal surface to create a design in the metal. Consider the way Ingouf’s choices reflect the social hierarchy of the time. Etching allowed for the relatively quick reproduction of images, making art more accessible, and the scene provides us with a glimpse into the material life of the upper class. From the fabrics of the woman’s dress to the arrangement of her boudoir, Ingouf meticulously reproduced the textures and surfaces. Through the intricate lines and shading achieved via the etching process, Ingouf's work invites us to consider the intersections of fine art, craft, and social commentary, challenging the traditional distinctions between these realms. The work prompts us to reflect on the amount of labor involved in the production process, from the skilled hands of the artist to the craftsmanship evident in the scene depicted.