The Battle of the Amazons 1695 - 1705

This print, The Battle of the Amazons, was made by Gaspard Duchange, likely in the early 1700s. It is an engraving – a printmaking technique where lines are incised into a metal plate, which is then inked and pressed onto paper. Look closely, and you can see how the density of the lines creates the illusion of light and shadow, mass and volume. The artist’s labor is evident in every stroke. This wasn’t just a technical exercise, though. Engraving like this was a key part of the information economy in the 18th century, circulating images and ideas across Europe. The print depicts a scene of conflict, full of movement and drama. The engraver's skill translates the chaos of battle into a tightly controlled composition. It is a powerful reminder that even seemingly straightforward images are the result of intense work, both physical and intellectual, reflecting the social and political values of their time. This piece demonstrates how so-called ‘fine art’ cannot be separated from the wider world of skilled making.