Antieke vaas met medaillon en tritons Possibly 1779

This print of an antique vase with a medallion and tritons was made in 1779 by Patrick Begbie. It's a delicate image made with etching, a printmaking technique in which acid is used to corrode an image into a metal plate, which is then inked and used to print. The material quality of the print—the fineness of the etched line and the subtle tonal variations—gives this image its sophistication and refinement. Begbie expertly uses the etching process to render the vase's Neoclassical form and ornamentation, from the spiraling flutes of the vase, the handles with grotesque masks, to the central medallion depicting a classical figure flanked by tritons. Prints like this circulated widely, spreading design ideas to workshops and studios. This vase, so carefully depicted, is a testament to the engraver's artistry, and the value that society placed on the circulation of design knowledge at the time. It reminds us that “fine art” and “craft” are often deeply intertwined.