Begrafenis per gondel in Venetië before 1896

This is an etching made by Paul Le Roux of a funeral by gondola in Venice. As an etching, the image began as a metal plate, likely copper or zinc, coated with a waxy ground. The artist then used a needle to scratch away the ground, exposing the metal beneath. The plate was then submerged in acid, which bit into the exposed lines, creating grooves. Ink was applied, filling these grooves, and the surface wiped clean, before being pressed onto paper. The resulting print captures the somber mood of a funeral procession on the Venetian canals. The gondolas, traditionally crafted from wood through skilled labor, become vessels not only of transport but also of cultural expression. This work prompts us to consider the labor embedded in both the making of the gondolas and the creation of the artwork itself. It blurs the lines between fine art and craft, inviting us to appreciate the skill and intention behind every etched line.