Little boy holding a vessel, from "Premier Livre de Figures d'après les porcelaines de la Manufacture Royale de France, inventées en 1757, par Mr. Boucher" (First Book of Figures after porcelains from the Manufacture Royale de France, devised in 1757, by Mr. Boucher) 1757

This etching, "Little boy holding a vessel," was made by Pierre Etienne Falconet in the 18th century. It's part of a series documenting porcelain figurines made at the Manufacture Royale de France. Look closely, and you'll notice the incredible detail achieved through the etching process. Falconet used a sharp needle to draw lines on a metal plate, which was then submerged in acid. The acid bit into the exposed lines, creating grooves that would hold ink. When printed, these grooves produce the fine lines and subtle shading you see here. The image itself offers a glimpse into the social context of the time. Porcelain was a luxury good, and the royal manufactory was a symbol of French power and refinement. This print would have been circulated amongst an elite audience, celebrating the artistry and craftsmanship of French porcelain. We can see that even the labor of children was aestheticized. By focusing on the materiality and making of this print, we gain a richer understanding of its cultural significance. It reminds us that even seemingly simple images are products of complex social and economic forces.