Divinité Chinoise 1729 - 1737

This print, "Divinité Chinoise," was made by Gabriel Huquier sometime before 1772, using etching and engraving. The network of fine lines creates a delicate, almost dreamlike image. Look closely, and you'll see how the controlled bite of acid on the metal plate allows for incredible detail. Notice the intricate rendering of foliage, architectural elements, and decorative motifs. Huquier was a master printmaker, catering to the 18th-century taste for chinoiserie. The image draws on European fantasies about Asia, specifically China. But the print itself was made using techniques developed in Europe. The linear precision and replicability of printmaking lent themselves well to the production of decorative schemes for wealthy patrons. Prints like this one fueled the desire for exotic ornamentation. This print exemplifies the meeting of fantasy and facture, reminding us that even the most seemingly straightforward images are the product of cultural exchange and complex labor.