Earth 1731 - 1765

Louis Félix de La Rue made this etching, “Earth,” using a copper plate sometime in the mid-18th century. The etching process involves covering a metal plate with a waxy, acid-resistant ground. The artist then scratches an image into the ground, exposing the metal. Immersing the plate in acid bites away the exposed lines, creating grooves. Ink is then applied to the plate, filling these grooves, and the surface is wiped clean. Finally, the plate is pressed onto paper, transferring the ink and creating the print. Here, the careful hatching creates a range of tones, giving depth to the cherubic figures and the swirling clouds they rest upon. The controlled lines capture the softness of their forms and the lightness of the scene. Etching allowed for the relatively easy reproduction of images, making art more accessible during this period. Yet it still required great skill and artistry, blurring the lines between craft and fine art.