Poule française ordinaire; mauvaise pondeuse.; from Magasin Pittoresque 1848 - 1864

Charles Jacque made this print, titled "Poule française ordinaire; mauvaise pondeuse", using etching – a printmaking technique where acid is used to corrode the uncovered parts of a metal plate to create the design. The effect of the etched lines creates a range of tones from light grey to black. The controlled bite of the acid creates a tangible sense of depth to the hen's plumage. The precision of line is used to create detail in the texture and weight of the hen. The print comes from the "Magasin Pittoresque", which translates to picturesque magazine, a journal dedicated to popularizing knowledge and culture. The work engages with wider social issues of labor, politics, and consumption. As the title suggests, the hen is an ordinary French hen and a bad layer. The artist acknowledges and comments on labor, and the economics of farming as a means to critique productivity. Paying attention to material, making, and context helps us understand the full meaning of an artwork, challenging traditional distinctions between fine art and craft.