Bauershochzeit 1897

Victor Mignot created this etching, Bauershochzeit, using metal, acid, and ink. The process of etching is fascinating, as it uses acid to bite into the metal plate, leaving behind lines that hold the ink. Mignot would have painstakingly drawn into a waxy ground, exposing the metal underneath. The stark contrast between the etched lines and the blank paper emphasizes the liveliness of this peasant wedding scene. The artist's engagement with printmaking suggests an interest in democratizing art, making it more accessible. Each print is an original, yet reproducible, blurring the lines between unique artwork and mass-produced image. This etching reminds us that art isn't just about the final image, but also the labor-intensive processes and social contexts that shape it. The choice of a wedding celebration situates the artwork in the context of the everyday lived experiences of peasants, thus questioning traditional hierarchies within the art world.