Between Crogen & Llandrillo on the R. Dee Possibly 1793

This print, “Between Crogen & Llandrillo on the R. Dee,” was engraved by Francis Jukes after a design by F. Walmsley, using etching and aquatint. Notice the tonal range achieved through aquatint, giving depth to the scene of two figures fishing. This process involves etching a design onto a metal plate using acid, then applying powdered resin and heating it to create a textured surface. When printed, this yields subtle gradations of tone, mimicking the effect of a watercolor wash. Look closely and you can see the soft, diffused light and atmospheric perspective achieved through this painstaking process. The skilled labor required for both etching and aquatint printing was considerable. While this image depicts a leisurely scene, it was only made possible by the hard work of artisans who rarely enjoyed such restful moments themselves. By understanding these processes, we can appreciate the cultural context and the blend of artistic skill and technical expertise necessary to produce such images.