L'Education fait tout 1745 - 1806

Jean-Honoré Fragonard created this print, “L'Education fait tout”, using etching and engraving techniques. The process begins with a metal plate, likely copper, on which the design is first etched with acid, then further defined using an engraving tool called a burin. The network of fine lines you see creates a sense of depth and texture, especially in the rendering of the figures and foliage. This printmaking method allowed for the wide dissemination of images. Prints like this were products of a sophisticated system of labor, involving not only the artist but also skilled printmakers who translated paintings into reproducible images. This speaks to the growing commercialization of art in the 18th century, where artworks could reach a broader audience. The print bridges the gap between unique artistic creation and mass production, reflecting the changing dynamics of art, labor, and consumption in Fragonard's time.