Duck 1850 - 1914

Félix Bracquemond made this print, "Duck," using etching, a process that involves biting lines into a metal plate with acid. The process is labor intensive. Each line had to be drawn through a waxy ground, before being submerged in the corrosive bath. This artisanry is typical of Bracquemond, who was committed to printmaking's potential. The image of the duck takes advantage of etching's capacity for detail. Look closely, and you’ll notice how the etched lines vary in density and direction, creating a remarkable sense of depth and texture. The subtle gradations of tone, achieved through careful manipulation of the etching process, give the duck a lifelike presence. Bracquemond's choice of subject matter is also significant. He was interested in the natural world. By elevating such subjects through the medium of printmaking, Bracquemond challenged traditional hierarchies of art, blurring the lines between high art and craft. The making is as important as the image itself.