Le Suicide 1846

Eugène Leroux made this print, "Le Suicide," using etching and aquatint. These are intaglio processes, where the image is incised into a metal plate, then inked and pressed onto paper. The aquatint gives the print its tonal range, by creating a textured surface that holds the ink. Look closely, and you can see how the tonal variation creates the somber mood. Compared to painting or sculpture, printmaking is comparatively indirect. It’s all about craft knowledge and manipulation, creating something that can be endlessly reproduced. In the 19th century, this had radical social implications. Printmaking democratized images, making them accessible to a wider audience. This etching brings what was once the domain of painting – high art – and makes it available for mass consumption. By focusing on the material qualities and the means of production, we gain insight into its cultural significance. In a world where images were becoming increasingly accessible, Leroux's print invites us to consider the relationship between art, labor, and society.