Troupeau de Porcs 1868

Charles Jacque made this print, "Troupeau de Porcs," using etching, a process where a metal plate is coated with wax, and the image is scratched into it. Acid bites into the exposed metal, creating lines that hold ink. Jacque was a key figure in the French etching revival, part of a broader interest in the graphic arts, and a fascination with the lives of ordinary people. The etching beautifully captures the texture of the landscape and the sheep’s wool. The labor-intensive process, requiring skill and time, mirrors the work of shepherding itself, reflecting a world before industrialization. The fine lines and tonal variations achieved through etching elevate this pastoral scene. Jacque invites us to appreciate the beauty and dignity of rural life, and the labor required to maintain it. This piece highlights how a medium once seen as ‘minor’ could achieve effects comparable to painting, collapsing the hierarchy between fine art and craft.