Haunted House c. 1890

Alphonse Legros made this etching, Haunted House, using metal plates, acid, and ink. This is a traditional printmaking process: the artist coats a metal plate with a waxy, acid-resistant substance, then scratches an image into it. The plate is then submerged in acid, which bites into the exposed metal, creating the lines that will hold ink. The plate is inked, wiped clean, and then pressed onto paper, transferring the image. The appeal of etching lies in its relative ease compared to engraving, allowing for a more fluid, spontaneous line. Here, Legros uses the technique to create a scene full of atmospheric perspective, drawing us into a haunted, mysterious space. The print medium allowed an artist like Legros to reproduce an image many times. It democratizes art, moving it from a unique precious commodity to a widely available cultural form. This piece is a testament to the artistic possibilities inherent in what was, in its day, a modern form of reproduction.