Journey to the Center of the Earth 1864

Edouard Riou made this image, Journey to the Center of the Earth, using a painstaking process of engraving, probably on a steel plate. This was a decidedly industrial medium by the late 19th century. Look closely, and you'll see how the image is built up from a dense network of tiny lines. This method allows for the creation of rich textures and deep shadows, evident in the rocky subterranean setting. It must have taken the artist days, if not weeks, to complete this one illustration. Beyond its aesthetic qualities, the engraving reflects the social context of its time. The industrial revolution had transformed printmaking, enabling mass production of images for books and magazines. This image, originally designed for reproduction, speaks to the growing market for illustrated adventure stories. The very act of looking at this print, therefore, links us to histories of labor, mass production, and consumption. In the end, understanding the materiality and making of this print invites us to consider its broader cultural significance.