Verbannen Victor Hugo kijkt uit over zee 1856 - 1897

This etching of Victor Hugo, exiled and gazing over the sea, was made by Henri-Charles Guérard sometime in the late 19th century. Guérard employed etching, a printmaking technique that uses acid to cut into a metal plate, which is then inked and pressed onto paper. Notice how the density of the etched lines defines the textures: from the rough crags of the coastline to the stormy sky. The way in which the etcher handles the needle contributes significantly to the artwork's final appearance, affecting the quality and depth of the lines. Etching lies at the intersection of craft and fine art. The skills involved would have been acquired through rigorous training. The repetitive, manual labor of applying the acid to create the desired effect required great patience. Looking at this print, we realize that the meaning of art lies not only in its subject, but also in the materials, making, and context that shape its creation.