Louis de Boullogne 1736

Curator: This is Bernard Lépicié's engraving, "Louis de Boullogne," held at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: What strikes me immediately is the contrast – the meticulous detail of his robes against the stark architectural backdrop. It feels theatrical, almost staged. Curator: It certainly is. Lépicié, as an engraver, was working within very specific constraints, using the burin to create a range of tonal values that replicated painting, while also elevating the status of printmaking. Editor: It's interesting that you say that, because the opulence suggests a wealthy patron. You can almost feel the weight and texture of that velvet. The detail in the wig is insane, like spun sugar. Curator: Precisely. The materials themselves, the ink, the paper, the tools used, were all part of a commercial system, making art accessible beyond the elite. Editor: Makes you wonder about the process, the hours of labor involved. It does make me appreciate the piece on a different level now, considering the craft. Curator: Indeed. Considering the means of production allows us to see beyond just the subject matter. Editor: Well, I’ll certainly never look at an engraving the same way again. Curator: Nor will I. The artist's touch, mediated through the engraver, allows the subject to come alive.