Groupe de deux angelots (l'un regardant de face et l'autre vers la gauche) 1605 - 1650

Jean Morin created this print of two cherubic figures sometime before 1650, using the technique of etching. This process involves coating a metal plate with a waxy, acid-resistant substance, then drawing an image into that coating with a sharp needle. Acid is then applied, biting into the metal where it has been exposed. Consider how this indirect process would affect the character of the drawn line. It’s not as immediate as a pencil sketch, or as decisive as an engraving. The etched line is freer, more prone to slight irregularities. You can see this in the tonal gradations of Morin’s print, particularly in the background and the cherubs’ bodies. The relatively forgiving quality of etching, as compared to other printmaking techniques, made it an ideal medium for translating drawings into prints. And that was Morin’s specialty – he was known for his skill in capturing the subtleties of other artists’ work. In this case, the image was originally designed by the painter Philippe de Champaigne. Appreciating the craft of etching helps us to see Morin not just as a technician, but as a creative interpreter.