Assembly of Notable People, Held at Versailles 1798 - 1804

This print, made by Claude Niquet, captures the Assembly of Notables at Versailles. It's made using etching, a process where lines are incised into a metal plate with acid, then inked and printed. The character of the etching process profoundly influences the image. Etching allows for the capture of fine details and subtle tonal variations. If you look closely, you’ll notice the textures of the architecture and clothing. The act of etching itself is painstaking, demanding time and skill to create the complex composition. More than a mere reproduction, this print is an object of labor in its own right, reflecting the cultural and economic systems of its time. The print invites us to consider the relationship between manual work and social hierarchy, challenging traditional notions of fine art.