Rafaël en de hertogin van Urbino c. 1818 - 1850

Alexandre Evariste Fragonard made this print, “Raphael and the Duchess of Urbino,” using etching and burin. The printmaking processes are particularly fascinating in this work. Etching uses acid to cut into a metal plate, while a burin is a tool for engraving lines directly. In this print, the etched lines create soft tonal variations that mimic the look of a chalk drawing, while the engraved lines add crispness to the details. Fragonard's skilled manipulation of these processes gives the print an extraordinary level of detail. Prints like these were crucial for circulating imagery. They democratized art, making it accessible to a broader audience beyond the wealthy elite who could afford original paintings. The labor involved in creating such a detailed print—the careful drawing, etching, and engraving—speaks to the value placed on skilled craftsmanship. The print becomes a commodity, a product of artistic labor available for consumption.