Jeannot Lapin 1891

Félix Bracquemond created this print, Jeannot Lapin, using etching, a process involving acid and metal. Unlike drawing directly on paper, etching demands a complex sequence of steps. The image's atmospheric depth comes from the etched lines, each bitten into the metal plate with acid, holding ink to create tone and texture. Look closely at the fur of the rabbit, hanging lifelessly; the fine lines suggest its softness, a stark contrast to its death. The landscape beyond is equally detailed, built up with layers of etching to evoke a vast, sun-drenched field. Bracquemond's skill highlights the labor involved in creating such detailed scenes, reflecting a broader social context where craft and industry intertwined. His choice of subject is a deliberate engagement with both the history of art and the contemporary realities of life and death. By valuing the technical process, we appreciate how skill and vision combine to imbue this print with meaning.