Lantaarn 1876

Henri-Charles Guérard created this etching of a simple lantern in France sometime in the late nineteenth century. In this period, the etching technique was undergoing a revival, of which Guérard was a prominent figure. Looking at the image, you will see how the artist focuses on the texture of the metal and glass, giving a sense of the object’s everyday use. This was a period of rapid industrialization, and while some artists celebrated new technologies, others like Guérard found beauty in the ordinary objects of the working world. It's important to note that Guérard was not just an artist, but also a printer. This gives him a unique position in the art world, combining creative expression with technical knowledge. To fully understand Guérard's work, it's useful to look at publications from the time, such as art journals and exhibition catalogs. These sources help us understand the social context in which Guérard was working, and the ways in which his art was understood by his contemporaries.