Gezicht op Menton 1856

Karl Girardet’s ‘View of Menton’ is an engraving, a print made by cutting lines into a metal plate, inking it, and pressing it onto paper. The image is all about the textures that can be achieved through this process. See how Girardet coaxes an entire world out of simple lines. Some are heavy, defining the silhouettes of figures, architecture, and the distant mountains. Others are delicately cross-hatched to create a sense of shadow and depth, like the cloudy sky. Notice the meticulous detail in the foreground. The artist gives us the rough surfaces of the rocky ground and the calm surface of the water. Engraving was a highly skilled, laborious craft. The resulting prints like this one could be reproduced and disseminated widely, offering viewers a glimpse into far-off lands, and reflecting the era’s burgeoning interest in travel and exploration. So, while the technique may seem traditional, it was also at the forefront of visual communication in the 19th century. It shows how so-called traditional methods were actually essential to shaping our modern world.