Simon Butler (Indian Trails, vol. II) 1852

Jean-François Millet made this print, ‘Simon Butler (Indian Trails, vol. II)’ using etching and engraving, processes that demanded both physical strength and meticulous skill. The image’s stark contrasts were achieved by incising lines into a metal plate, which then held ink to be transferred onto paper. Look closely, and you'll notice the incredibly fine network of lines, each requiring precise movements to create areas of light and shadow. This wasn’t just a mechanical process; Millet manipulated the tools to evoke the drama of the scene, a naked man clinging to a horse as he flees an attack. The choice of printmaking allowed for wider distribution, bringing narratives of colonial encounters to a broader audience. The labor-intensive nature of etching and engraving stands in contrast to the mass-produced imagery we see today, reminding us of the value placed on craft and skill in earlier eras. Considering Millet’s technique alongside the image’s fraught subject matter invites us to reflect on how artistic processes themselves contribute to the storytelling.