Mythological Scene, possibly Diana Seducing Callisto 1759 - 1769

Jean-Honoré Fragonard created this small print, possibly depicting Diana seducing Callisto, using etching. This intaglio printmaking technique requires a metal plate, usually copper or zinc. The artist coats the plate with a waxy, acid-resistant substance called the ground, then scratches the image into the ground with a needle, exposing the metal. The plate is then immersed in acid, which bites into the exposed lines, creating grooves. The resulting network of tiny furrows holds ink, and when the plate is pressed onto paper, the image is transferred. Looking closely, you can see the subtle textures and tonal variations achieved through hatching. The composition is light and airy, with the figures rendered in a fluid, sketch-like manner, typical of Fragonard's Rococo style. The final print reflects the labor and skill involved in each stage of its production, from the initial drawing to the careful application of the acid. By focusing on the material processes involved, we can appreciate how these techniques were used by artists to disseminate their work, and to reach a broader audience.