Bondepige fra Savoyen (Savoyarde de Montmelian) 1760s

Pierre Etienne Moitte created this print, Savoyarde de Montmelian, using etching, a process that intertwines material, technique, and social commentary. Moitte would have covered a metal plate with a waxy ground, then drawn his image, exposing the metal. Immersing the plate in acid would bite into these lines, creating grooves to hold ink. This process, requiring skilled handiwork, allowed for the reproduction of images, linking artistry to emerging capitalist modes of production. The very graphic quality of the etching emphasizes line and tone, directing our gaze. This aesthetic is tied to its making, and beyond that to the economy of labor. The fine detail and controlled lines speak to Moitte's mastery, yet also subtly hint at the social context of the depicted Savoyarde, a young peasant girl, possibly idealized, yet still marked by her class and labor. Ultimately, appreciating the print involves recognizing how its material and production are deeply connected to its social and cultural significance.