Adoration of the Shepherds n.d.

This print, *Adoration of the Shepherds*, was made by Pierre François Basan in the 18th century, using a technique called etching. Etching relies on the corrosive properties of acid to create an image in metal, which is then inked and printed onto paper. The character of an etching comes from the way the artist manipulates the metal plate, drawing through a protective coating to expose the surface to acid. The longer the plate is exposed, the deeper the lines become, allowing for a range of tones in the final print. This technique allowed Basan to create a detailed and atmospheric scene, full of shadow and light. Prints like this were a vital part of the 18th-century visual world. They allowed images and ideas to circulate widely, making art accessible to a broad audience, but it involved labor to disseminate the images, raising interesting questions of labor, production and consumption. Appreciating the labor involved in this production challenges our conventional understanding of fine art.