Country at Sunset with Swineherds n.d.

Giovanni Fattori made this etching, "Country at Sunset with Swineherds," using metal, acid, and ink. The fine lines were incised into a metal plate, which would have been a labor-intensive process. The plate then submerged in acid to create deeper grooves, a process called biting. The resulting image, printed on paper, retains a handmade quality, despite the mechanical reproduction. We can see the countryside scene, with its texture of fields, clouds, and a few figures tending their swine. Interestingly, while etching allowed for multiple prints, this one feels almost like a drawing, emphasizing the artist's hand. The print becomes a testament to the skilled labor involved, both in the agricultural scene depicted and in the artistic process itself, blurring the lines between craft and fine art.