Oceania: Fishing, Near Islands with Palms in the Uea or Wallis Group, 1845 1863

Charles Meryon made this etching titled Oceania: Fishing, Near Islands with Palms in the Uea or Wallis Group in 1845. Meryon worked with metal, acid, and ink to create this image. He would have coated a metal plate with a waxy, acid-resistant substance, and then scratched an image into this coating, exposing the metal beneath. When the plate was dipped in acid, the exposed lines would be eaten away, creating grooves. Ink would then be applied to the plate, filling these grooves, and the surface wiped clean. Finally, paper would be pressed against the plate, transferring the ink and creating the print. The fine lines that define the island, the water, and the figures reveal not only Meryon's skill, but also the labor-intensive nature of printmaking. This painstaking process contrasts with the seemingly carefree life of the islanders depicted, quietly fishing. By understanding the materials and making of this print, we gain a greater appreciation for the artistry involved, blurring the lines between craft and fine art.