The Horatii 1852

Jean Marie Leroux created "The Horatii" using engraving, a printmaking technique that demands precision and patience. The image begins as a polished metal plate, most likely copper, into which the artist meticulously carves lines using a tool called a burin. The quality of those lines are what give the print its character. See how Leroux varies the density and depth of the engraved lines to create different tonal values and textures? This is a laborious process. Areas that appear darker have a higher density of lines, each one carefully incised. Once the engraving is complete, the plate is inked, and the surface wiped clean, leaving ink only in the engraved lines. The plate is then pressed onto paper, transferring the image. The act of printing multiplies the image, extending its reach and democratizing access to art. Consider the skill and labor invested in the production of this print, made to circulate widely. It makes us think about the economics of artmaking and the social implications of reproducing images for a broad audience in the 19th century.