A Bravura Air. Mandane 1801

This print, "A Bravura Air. Mandane," was made by James Gillray, likely around the turn of the 19th century, using etching and aquatint. Now, these are both intaglio processes, meaning the image is incised into a metal plate. The method Gillray employed would have started with him covering the plate with a waxy, acid-resistant ground. Then, using a needle, he would draw through the ground, exposing the metal. The plate was then immersed in acid, which bit into the exposed lines, creating the design. For the aquatint, which gives the tonal areas, resin dust is applied to the plate and heated, creating a porous ground. Acid is then applied, biting around the resin particles. Look closely, and you’ll notice the crisp lines defining the figure, and the subtle shading suggesting volume. The magic of this image lies in the skilled labor and knowledge of materials involved, elevating what might otherwise be seen as a simple caricature into a work of considerable technical prowess. It's a great example of how printmaking can be so much more than just reproduction.