Beggar c. 1835

Alexandre-Gabriel Decamps created "Beggar" using etching, a printmaking process involving acid, metal, and tremendous skill. The image begins with a metal plate covered in a waxy, protective layer. The artist then draws through this layer, exposing the metal. When the plate is submerged in acid, the drawn lines are eaten away, creating grooves. Ink is then applied to these grooves, and the plate is pressed onto paper, transferring the image. Consider the labor involved: from mining and refining the metal, to preparing the plate, drawing, etching, inking, and printing. Decamps would have needed access to a specialized workshop. The dense network of fine lines creates a rich tonal range, capturing the rough texture of the beggar’s clothes, the weight of his weariness, and his loyal dog. By focusing on process and materiality, we can better understand the social context of the work and challenge the traditional hierarchy between fine art and craft.