Twee geliefden in een interieur 1768

This print, "Two Lovers in an Interior," was created by Louis Michel Halbou in the late 18th century. The image is made with etching and engraving, intaglio printmaking processes that require considerable skill and labor. First, lines are bitten into a metal plate with acid, then further refined and detailed with hand-engraving. Look closely, and you’ll notice how Halbou uses these linear techniques to create a range of tonal effects, building up areas of shadow and texture. The texture of the clothing is especially interesting – these luxurious fabrics, along with the fine ceramics displayed on the shelf, signal the couple’s wealth, which is in stark contrast to the labor-intensive methods used to create the image itself. Prints like these were produced in multiples, allowing images to be widely circulated and consumed. So, while the subject is a moment of intimate leisure, the object itself is a product of industry, dependent on the labor of skilled artisans and the channels of distribution to reach its audience. This tension between intimacy and industry, pleasure and work, makes the print a fascinating artifact of its time.