Seated man with box in his lap, he rests his right elbow on a taller box 1715 - 1738

This print of a seated man with boxes was made by Edmé Jeaurat, likely in the early 18th century. It is made using etching, a printmaking technique that allows for detailed line work. Here, the material, paper, is almost incidental; it’s the delicate web of lines that really grabs our attention. Look closely, and you can see how the artist has used hatching and cross-hatching to create a sense of volume and shadow. Jeaurat would have used a sharp needle to draw into a waxy ground on a metal plate, which was then exposed to acid, biting away the lines. The plate could then be inked and printed, allowing for the reproduction of the image. This print is not just a portrait; it also captures something about the world of work and commerce, as well as the status of the subject, and the work that went into the making of the boxes. By considering the means of production, we can appreciate how this print reflects the social and economic landscape of its time, and the artist's role within it.