Juni 1633 - 1643

Denis Boutemie made this print, entitled "Juni", using etching, a printmaking technique that democratized image production. The etcher covers a metal plate with a waxy ground, then scratches an image into the ground with a needle. When the plate is bathed in acid, the exposed lines are bitten into the metal. Ink is applied and then the surface of the plate is wiped clean, leaving ink only in the etched lines. The plate is then pressed onto paper, resulting in an image. The degree of intricacy in Boutemie’s “Juni”, including the elaborate dress of the figure and the radiating lines of the sun, are evidence of the skilled labor necessary for this process. Once mastered, this process allowed for images to be produced with considerable speed. The commercialization of printmaking made images more accessible to a wider audience, connecting it to the rise of capitalism. Paying attention to the techniques and processes of printmaking helps us understand its cultural significance, blurring the lines between craft and fine art.