De Vlaamse rokers 1779 - 1783

This print, De Vlaamse Rokers, was made by Jean-Étienne Liotard, though the printmaker was J.C. Liotard, and it’s based on a painting of his that was kept in his private collection. Prints like this one played an important role in the 18th-century art world. Before photography, they were the primary way images circulated. Though this print depicts Flemish smokers, Liotard was Swiss, and spent much of his career traveling to cosmopolitan centers, including Paris, London, and Vienna. By reproducing his painting as a print, Liotard was able to reach a much wider audience, and build his reputation across Europe. Prints like this offer art historians insight into how artists managed their careers and marketed their work in the 1700s. To learn more, consult the artist's correspondence, and look at the archives of the print workshops that helped artists like Liotard thrive.