Edouard Manet 1867

This is Émile Zola’s “Édouard Manet,” a book from the late 19th century featuring an etching by Manet. The print within this book, made through etching, is where the real magic lies. This process involves coating a metal plate with a waxy, protective layer, and then drawing through it with a sharp needle. The plate is then submerged in acid, which bites into the exposed lines, creating grooves. Ink is then applied to the plate, filling the etched lines, and then the surface is wiped clean. When paper is pressed against the plate, the ink transfers, producing the print. This process, though technical, allowed for multiples to be made. The book itself, as a multiple, ties into the burgeoning culture of celebrity surrounding Manet at the time. The labor involved in printing, typesetting, and binding speaks to the rise of mass media and the book trade, connecting art to broader social and economic changes. This book is not just an artwork, but a cultural artifact. It blurs the boundaries between the art world and everyday life.