Vase with Grotesques (Le vase aux masques) 

Alphonse Legros made this print, titled "Vase with Grotesques", using etching. The vase is decorated with grotesque masks, a popular motif in classical art. The process of etching is fascinating: the artist covers a metal plate with a waxy, acid-resistant ground, then draws into it with a needle. The plate is then immersed in acid, which bites into the exposed lines, creating grooves. Ink is then applied to the plate, filling the etched lines, and the surface is wiped clean. Finally, paper is pressed against the plate, transferring the ink and creating the print. The level of detail achieved through etching is remarkable. The quality of the line speaks to Legros's skill, but also of the amount of time required to complete the work. It invites us to consider the labor of the artist, and the social context in which such works are produced and consumed. Ultimately, understanding the materials, the making, and the context allows us to see the richness and complexity of this print, and how it challenges traditional distinctions between art and craft.