Jean de Poltrot vermoordt François de Guise 1798

This print was made by Daniel Nikolaus Chodowiecki, likely in the late 18th century. Chodowiecki was a master of the etching, a printmaking technique that uses acid to cut into a metal plate, creating lines that hold ink. This method allowed him to produce highly detailed and reproducible images, which were essential for disseminating information and ideas in an era before photography. The precision of the etching perfectly suits the subject. The scene depicts a dramatic moment – the assassination of François de Guise. The artist's choice of the etching process, with its capacity for fine lines and tonal variations, brings a sense of immediacy to the historical event. Notice the textures, the details of the armor, the expressions on the figures’ faces. These are achieved through the controlled application of acid and ink, demonstrating the artist's mastery over the material and process. The medium of etching connects the artwork to broader social issues of labor, production, and consumption. The etching is both a work of art and a reproducible commodity, blurring boundaries between fine art and craft.