The Justice of Trajan, plate for l'Album des Salons 1840

Jules-Robert-Pierre-Joseph Challamel created this print, *The Justice of Trajan,* in the 19th century, using a process called etching. This intaglio printmaking technique involves using acid to cut into a metal plate, which is then inked and pressed onto paper. Notice the intricate network of lines, capturing dramatic light and shadow. The material quality of the print, its crispness and fineness, is dependent on the skilled labor involved in its production, from the preparation of the metal plate to the careful application of acid and ink. Etchings like this one were often made in multiples, fueling a market for affordable art. The subject, Trajan, a Roman emperor known for his virtue, also speaks to the social context of the print's creation. Printmaking allowed for the wide circulation of moralizing narratives. This challenged traditional distinctions between art and craft, raising questions about value, labor, and access to art.