"The Smugglers" from The Songs of Béranger 1829

"The Smugglers," part of The Songs of Béranger, was created by Augustin Burdet using engraving, a process dating back to the 15th century. Engraving begins by meticulously carving a design into a metal plate, traditionally copper, using a tool called a burin. This requires immense skill, as the depth and angle of each cut determines the thickness and darkness of the printed line. Once the design is complete, ink is forced into the carved lines, the surface is wiped clean, and the image is transferred to paper under high pressure. In "The Smugglers," this process results in crisp lines and subtle tonal variations that capture the ruggedness of the figures and landscape. The choice of engraving speaks to a time when printmaking served as a crucial means of disseminating information and cultural ideals. The very act of replicating images through manual labor connects the artwork to broader social issues of labor and class. By understanding the demanding process involved, we appreciate the craft embedded within and challenge the traditional art-historical hierarchy.