Triomf van Bacchus, linkerhelft 1623 - 1676

This is the left half of François Chauveau’s “Triumph of Bacchus,” an engraving on paper. The artwork has been made through careful work by a skilled artisan. The image would have been incised into a metal plate, likely copper, using tools like burins and etching needles to create the fine lines you see here. The plate is then inked and pressed onto paper, transferring the image. Consider the amount of labour involved in creating such a detailed image. Every line, every shadow, is the result of a deliberate act of mark-making. The artist is working in the service of representing an established set of themes – the god of wine, his entourage – but also demonstrating their own mastery of technique. The use of printmaking also means that the image can be reproduced multiple times, and the art piece becomes part of a wider economy of image making and distribution, a precursor to mass media. Through Chauveau's skill, this print bridges the gap between fine art and wider social accessibility.