Twee jongens die een leeuw plagen 1869

Charles Verlat created this print, "Twee jongens die een leeuw plagen," or "Two Boys Teasing a Lion," sometime in the mid-19th century using etching. The qualities of the etched line are really key here; see how Verlat uses layers of short, hatched marks to build up shadow and volume. This technique, allied with the tonal qualities of the ink itself, gives the image an atmospheric quality, as if we are looking at a scene from a dream. Etching is an indirect process; the artist protects areas of a metal plate with a waxy ground, then scratches through that ground to expose the metal. The plate is then immersed in acid, which bites away the exposed areas. This process allows for the capture of fine detail and subtle gradations of tone. It is a process rooted in craft and skilled traditions, yet it was embraced by fine artists. In this image, Verlat uses the etched line to great effect, rendering the textures of the lion's fur, the boys' clothing, and the bars of the cage. The result is an image that is both visually appealing and socially relevant, speaking to the themes of power, control, and the relationship between humans and animals.