Gezicht op Vauxhall Gardens te Londen 1745 - 1775

This print, depicting Vauxhall Gardens in London, was made by Jean-François Daumont. The image is an etching, a process that starts with a metal plate, usually copper or zinc. The plate is coated with a waxy, acid-resistant substance. The artist then scratches an image into this coating, exposing the metal beneath. When acid is applied, it bites into the exposed metal, creating lines. The longer the acid bath, the deeper the lines. Ink is then applied to the plate, filling these lines, and the surface is wiped clean. Finally, the plate is pressed onto paper, transferring the ink and the image. Colored inks were likely applied to the plate using stencils to selectively color the different areas in the print. The success of printmaking like this was tied to a growing leisure culture. The result is not just an image, but a record of labor, skill, and the means of its own reproduction. In essence, this print invites us to consider not just what we see, but how it came to be, blurring the lines between art, craft, and the economics of leisure.