"The Child of Good Breeding" from The Complete Works of Béranger 1836

This print, “The Child of Good Breeding,” was made by J. J. Grandville, sometime in the first half of the 19th century. It’s made with etching, a printmaking technique that relies on the corrosive power of acid to create lines in a metal plate, which are then inked and printed onto paper. Grandville was a master of this medium. See how he uses the etched line to create subtle gradations of tone and texture, giving the image a rich, almost painterly quality. Beyond his technical virtuosity, Grandville was interested in social satire, and the print is a commentary on the vanity and self-importance of the bourgeoisie. Look at the man in the print, admiring a wall of portraits of himself at various stages of life. The etched lines are sharp and precise, capturing the man’s smug expression and foppish attire. Grandville’s clever use of etching makes the image both visually appealing and intellectually engaging, reminding us that even the most technically sophisticated works of art are always embedded in a specific social and political context.