La chatte en rond 1929 - 1932

Andre Dunoyer de Segonzac made this print of a curled-up cat using etching, a process that demands careful labor and technical skill. The image is created by drawing into a wax-covered metal plate, which is then bathed in acid. The acid bites into the exposed lines, creating grooves that will hold ink. The plate is then inked, wiped clean, and pressed onto paper, transferring the image. The quality of line, from the finest whiskers to the darkest shadows, speaks to Segonzac's mastery. He coaxes a remarkable range of tone from simple lines, capturing the texture of the cat's fur and the woven surface it sits on. But beyond the technical virtuosity, the print also reflects a particular social context. Inexpensive and reproducible, prints like this one democratized art ownership, bringing images into homes beyond the wealthy elite. Segonzac's etching reminds us that art is not just about the image, but about the labor, materials, and social forces that bring it into being.