Young Man Seated, Smoking 1784

"Young Man Seated, Smoking" was made by Daniel Nikolaus Chodowiecki, using etching. The artist employed fine lines to create texture and tone. Look closely, and you'll see the cross-hatching that defines the background, suggesting a patterned wallcovering. The sitter's garments are also rendered with close attention to the draping of the fabric, giving a sense of volume. The etching process, which involves biting lines into a metal plate with acid, was a relatively efficient means of image production at the time. It allowed for the creation of multiple impressions, making art more accessible to a wider audience. Though clearly made by hand, this print also reflects the growing influence of industrial production in 18th-century Europe. Consider the labor involved in both making the artwork, and also in the depicted act of smoking. With this work, Chodowiecki invites us to consider not just the image, but also the means of its making, and the social context of its creation.