Drie kinderen spelen een spel met vruchtenpitten 1770

This print, "Three Children Playing a Game with Fruit Pits", was made by Augustin de Saint-Aubin in the 18th century. It's an etching, a process that involves coating a metal plate with wax, drawing a design, then immersing the plate in acid, which bites away the exposed lines. The material process here isn’t just about aesthetics, but also about the social context. Etchings like this were a form of mass production, making images accessible to a wider audience, and a means of communicating ideas about childhood and society. Look closely and you'll see how the artist used the etched line to create texture and depth, from the rough stonework behind the children to the delicate rendering of their clothes. This wasn't just a neutral depiction of children's games, but a commentary on class and fate. The act of etching, with its ability to replicate and disseminate images, becomes a tool for social commentary. The print encourages us to consider the relationship between art, labor, and the society in which it was made, challenging the traditional view that fine art is separate from everyday life.