The Lucky Negro (Le nègre en bonne fortune) 1899

Jacques Villon made this etching called *The Lucky Negro* using traditional printmaking techniques. The artwork is all about the etched line: sharp and clear in some places, blurred and hazy in others. This is achieved by varying the amount of time the plate is exposed to acid, which bites into the metal to create different depths of line. Notice how Villon uses the medium to convey a sense of elegance and leisure. The figures are fashionable and composed; the gentleman wears a suit, and the woman is in a large dress and feathered hat. However, the title of the artwork introduces an ironic twist, as it is highly unlikely a black man would have had the same opportunities or social standing as a wealthy white woman at that time in Paris. Villon's printmaking skills give this image its distinctive look and feel, but the choice of the title invites us to question the very social fabric that made such unequal circumstances possible.