Trekpaard bij de Seine in Parijs 1898

Pieter Dupont created this print, "Trekpaard bij de Seine in Parijs," using the technique of etching. In etching, an artist covers a metal plate with a waxy, acid-resistant ground. They then scratch an image into the ground, exposing the metal beneath. When the plate is dipped in acid, the exposed lines are etched into the surface. The deeper the bite, the darker the line will appear when printed. The plate is then inked, and the surface wiped clean, leaving ink only in the etched lines. Finally, the plate is pressed onto paper, transferring the image. Here, the subject matter emphasizes labor and the everyday. Notice the thick musculature of the horse, the strain in its stance, and the heavy cart it pulls. Dupont’s choice of etching, a relatively democratic printmaking method, mirrors this theme. Unlike unique paintings or sculptures, prints allow for wider distribution, making art more accessible. Considering materials and processes used, we can appreciate how Dupont elevated the ordinary, transforming a scene of work into a lasting image.