The Seine seen from Passy 1860s

Félix Bracquemond made this print of the Seine, seen from Passy, using etching. It’s a process that involves biting lines into a metal plate with acid, then inking and printing it. Notice the amazing delicacy of the marks. This wasn't just about replicating a scene. It was about using line to capture the feeling of a place, the way light fell on it. Etching demands a different kind of labor than painting. It’s more indirect, mediated by tools and materials, and demanding a specific kind of graphic skill. Bracquemond was deeply engaged with craft traditions, particularly ceramics. This sensibility informed his approach to printmaking too. Rather than grand narratives or heroic figures, he turned his attention to the everyday, finding beauty in the ordinary. By valuing this kind of close observation and careful making, Bracquemond challenged the established hierarchies of the art world, which typically ranked painting and sculpture above the so-called decorative arts. This print invites us to appreciate the skill and artistry inherent in all forms of creative production.