Cast of a Net (le Coup De Filet) 1900

Paul-Albert Besnard made this etching, Cast of a Net, by incising lines into a metal plate, likely copper, and then using acid to bite into the exposed areas. It’s a printmaking process that allows for incredible detail, but also demands careful planning and a mastery of the materials. The scene is stark: death casts a net upon the sea, catching not fish, but human souls. Look closely and you'll see how the etched lines vary in thickness and density, creating a range of tones and textures. This isn't just about replicating an image, it's about imbuing the scene with a particular mood and a sense of mortality. Besnard’s choice of etching speaks to a tradition of skilled craftsmanship, but here, it is put to the service of a powerful, somewhat grim, social commentary. The repetitive labor of fishermen becomes a metaphor for the inescapable fate that awaits us all. In this sense, the work’s material and process are inseparable from its message.