Beuzeval, Embouchure de la Dive (Calvados) 1868

Maxime Lalanne made this etching, "Beuzeval, Embouchure de la Dive (Calvados)," using metal, acid, and paper. The technique involves coating a metal plate with a waxy, acid-resistant substance, then scratching an image into it. When the plate is submerged in acid, the exposed lines are etched into the metal, allowing for a transfer of the image onto paper. This was an established industrial printing method by the mid-19th century, but it also became a favorite of artists who wanted to make multiple originals. The character of this particular print is defined by the close hatching used to create tone, a technique achievable through the controlled application of acid. Lalanne shows that even a method used for commercial purposes can also allow for highly nuanced artistic expression. The resulting image invites us to reconsider the relationship between labor, artistic skill, and the beauty that can be found in everyday life.