Le Pleurer and mouvement composé (from Caractères des passions, gravés sur les desseins de l'illustre Monsieur le Brun) 1695 - 1720

Sébastien Le Clerc the Younger made this print, "Le Pleurer and mouvement composé," using engraving techniques. This was a period when printmaking served both artistic and commercial purposes. The lines you see were etched into a metal plate, likely copper, with tools called burins and needles. This painstaking process allowed for precise, repeatable images. The quality of the line is crucial here – thin, controlled strokes that capture the nuances of facial expression. It is amazing how much expression an artist can convey with such minimal means! These prints were often made in multiples, a crucial element in the work's social context. In the 17th and 18th centuries, prints like this were widely disseminated, serving as educational tools for artists or as decorative pieces. The labor involved in creating the plate was multiplied through each impression, making art more accessible. Understanding the printmaking process highlights the democratizing potential of art. It reminds us that the value of an image lies not only in its aesthetic qualities but also in its accessibility and the labor that went into its creation.