"Mèderic, delighted in the seventh heaven, leans over to check his conquest..." from the Little Miseries of Human Life 1843

This print, made by J.J. Grandville, is from a series called "Little Miseries of Human Life." It's created using a technique called engraving, where lines are cut into a metal plate, which is then inked and printed onto paper. Engraving, a highly skilled and laborious process, was widely used for mass-producing images in the 19th century. The density of the fine lines creates shading and detail that defines the scene. The medium lends itself well to caricature, which Grandville employs to mock social pretensions. The choice of engraving is also revealing. It speaks to the rise of consumer culture. Prints like these were relatively affordable, allowing the burgeoning middle class to engage with art, satire, and social commentary. Grandville’s witty observations, made accessible through this reproducible medium, offered a critical reflection on the era's values and follies. So, next time you see a print, remember to think not just about the image, but about the whole system of materials, production, and consumption that brings it to life.