Self-portrait in a fur cap, in an oval border: bust 1859

Léopold Flameng made this self-portrait in an oval border using etching, a printmaking technique that relies on the corrosive power of acid. The artist would have coated a metal plate with a waxy, acid-resistant substance, then scratched an image into it with a needle. The plate was then immersed in acid, which bit into the exposed lines. This process was repeated to achieve the desired depth, allowing for tonal variation when inked and printed. Look closely, and you’ll see how the etched lines create a sense of depth and texture, particularly in the fur cap and the shadowed areas of the face. Etching enabled artists to create multiple originals, democratizing art production to some extent. This print embodies a moment when traditional craft met the burgeoning possibilities of industrial reproduction, raising questions about originality and the value of artistic labor.