Love Consecrated 1900

Paul-Albert Besnard created this print called 'Love Consecrated' using etching, a printmaking technique with a long and fascinating history. The process begins with a metal plate, traditionally copper or zinc, coated with a waxy, acid-resistant substance. The artist then draws through this coating, exposing the metal beneath. When the plate is submerged in acid, the exposed lines are "bitten," creating grooves. Ink is then applied to the plate, filling these grooves, and the surface is wiped clean. Finally, the plate is pressed onto paper, transferring the inked image. The stark contrasts and fine lines achieved through etching give this print its powerful, somewhat somber quality. Besnard’s mastery of the technique allows him to evoke a range of tones, from the delicate shading on the figures' faces to the dense, almost claustrophobic background. It's a labor-intensive process, demanding both technical skill and artistic vision. It challenges us to consider the many hours of labor that go into creating what we see here, in contrast to our contemporary modes of digital image reproduction.