Oeuvres de Jean Racine 1801

This engraving, after a design by Chaudet, captures a scene from Jean Racine’s play “Athaliah,” and it was made to be included in an edition of Racine's collected works. The print medium itself, with its precise lines and gradations of tone, gives a sense of classical order and refinement. This particular type of printmaking – engraving – is laborious. The image is incised into a metal plate, which is then inked and pressed onto paper. Look closely, and you can almost see the hand of the engraver, carefully translating Chaudet's original design. Engraving was a highly skilled trade, demanding years of training and a deep understanding of materials. In this print, the craft of the engraver serves to elevate the literary work of Racine, giving it a visual form that speaks to the values of the period - a time when meticulous handwork was highly prized, and the printed image was gaining power as a means of disseminating knowledge and culture. It shows how the so-called "fine arts" were completely reliant on skilled trades.