Rustic interior with a peasant seated on bench at center holding a jug and a pipe 1635 - 1675

This etching, *Rustic interior with a peasant seated on bench at center holding a jug and a pipe,* was made in the 17th century by Jacques Dassonville, using a metal plate, acid, and ink. The printmaking process allows for the creation of tonal variation, achieved through tiny hatches and lines. Look closely, and you’ll see the way that Dassonville has used these marks to build up the impression of shadow and light across the composition. This adds depth to the depicted scene of the interior. Of course, the material itself - a copper plate, which is robust and capable of holding fine detail - is also crucial. The final print is the product of labor: the artist’s careful work with acid and burin, as well as the physical work of inking the plate and running it through a press. The resulting image invites us to consider the labor involved in the peasant’s world too. The etching process, and the work depicted, make us reconsider the traditional hierarchy between fine art and craft, inviting reflection on broader socio-economic conditions, and the realities of 17th-century life.