Staande vrouwen en medaillon 1752 - 1782

This print of standing women and a medallion was created by Juste Nathan Boucher in the 1700s. Executed on paper using a drypoint technique, the image is all about line. The drypoint process involves using a sharp needle to scratch directly into a metal plate. This raises a burr of metal on either side of the line, which catches the ink to give a velvety effect when printed. Boucher has exploited this to its full potential, using the fine lines and subtle shading to create a delicate and ethereal image. The subject matter – classical figures and ornamentation – would have been in high demand at the time. Prints like this were often used by artisans, such as furniture makers or silversmiths, as inspiration for their own designs. In this way, Boucher’s print played a role in the wider world of production, blurring the boundaries between art and craft.