Scottifiying the Palate, from Boswell's Tour of the Hebrides 1786

Thomas Rowlandson made "Scottifying the Palate" around 1786, using etching, a printmaking process that relies on the corrosive action of acid to create an image on a metal plate. Think about how the artist created the design. He would have covered the plate with a waxy, acid-resistant coating. Then, using a sharp needle, he scratched away the coating to expose the metal underneath. The plate was then immersed in acid, which bit into the exposed lines, creating grooves. The longer the plate remained in the acid, the deeper the lines. Once the etching was complete, ink was applied to the plate, filling the etched lines. The surface was wiped clean, and the image was transferred to paper under high pressure with a printing press. Notice how the etched lines create a sense of depth and texture, defining the figures and the landscape. The social commentary embedded in the image reflects the labor involved in producing food, and how cultural tastes are shaped by class and regional identity. Rowlandson's choice of etching, a relatively accessible printmaking technique, aligns with the satirical and critical nature of his work, challenging traditional distinctions between fine art and social commentary.