Chinoiserie with Figures in a Landscape 1720 - 1772

Gabriel Huquier made this Chinoiserie print sometime in the 18th century. The image is achieved with etching, a printmaking technique using acid to create lines in a metal plate, which is then inked and pressed onto paper. The fine lines, the gradations of tone, and the overall delicacy of the image are all effects of this process. This technique allowed Huquier to create the lush scene and intricate details within it. Consider the textures of the foliage, the folds in the figures’ clothing, and the ornamental architecture. Notice how the use of line and shadow creates depth, and the composition leads our eye through the scene. Chinoiserie was a popular style in Europe at this time, reflecting a fascination with East Asia. Images like these were luxury goods, feeding a desire for exoticism and fantasy. They also participated in a much broader economic and social system predicated on unequal exchange and consumption. Thinking about materials and processes helps us understand the value and context of this print. It blurs the lines between art, craft, and commerce.