The Ladies' Doctor (plate 23) 1843

Charles Jacque made this print, The Ladies' Doctor, using etching, a process closely tied to the rise of mass media. The print on view here is from a series of illustrations titled Les Malades et les Médecins. The image shows a doctor seated at a table with two well-dressed female patients. Through etching, the artist captured the textures of clothing and furniture with fine lines and shading, showcasing his technical skill. Etching involves coating a metal plate with wax, drawing an image into the wax, and then immersing the plate in acid, which bites into the exposed metal. Ink is applied to the etched lines, and the image is transferred to paper under pressure. This print reflects the social context of 19th-century France, where the burgeoning middle class embraced new forms of entertainment and consumption. It’s also interesting to note the labor involved in producing these prints, which were created for mass consumption. Ultimately, works like this encourage us to consider the convergence of art, commerce, and social commentary.