Women 

This is an ink drawing by the Belgian artist Felicien Rops, who lived in the 19th century. It shows three women, one of whom is a mannequin. Working in ink allows for fine detail and sharp contrast. The artist scratched away at the metal plate with burins and burnishers, employing techniques of engraving and etching. These processes would have taken some time, but they also allow for the image to be reproduced, and to be widely distributed. These reproductive techniques democratized the image, allowing it to reach a broad public beyond the elite art world. The drawing is full of wit and dark humor, and the artist must have understood the importance of creating work that could be easily disseminated. It speaks volumes about the relationship between art, commerce, and the rapidly changing social landscape of the time.